Jessica Kulekjian first discovered her love for storytelling during a young author's contest in elementary school. Even though she lost (three times!), she didn't give up writing. After years of practice, and with lots of encouragement from family, friends, teachers, and other storytellers, Jessica became the author of picture books, including First Notes of Spring and Before We Stood Tall: From Small Seed to Mighty Tree. Jessica has an MA in teaching and works at a public charter school, supporting homeschooling families. She lives with her husband and three kids in Central California. Connect with her at jessicakulekjian.com, on Instagram @jessicakulekjian, and Twitter @jesskulekjian.

Zara González Hoang is a picture book author and illustrator. She grew up in a little bungalow in the frozen tundra of Minnesota. Surrounded by snow she spent her days dreaming, doodling and listening to the colorful stories of her Dad's life growing up in Puerto Rico while trying to figure out where she fit in as a mixed-race Latina Jew in a sea of Scandinavians. These days, she lives outside of DC in a magical suburban forest with her Mad Man husband, human-shaped demons and curly-coated corgi. She still spends her days dreaming and doodling, but now instead of listening to stories, she's starting to tell some of her own. Connect with her at zaralikestodraw.com and @zarprey on Instagram and Twitter.