NIKKI SHANNON SMITH is the author of numerous books for children, including the Brown Baby Parade series and the Little Golden Book The Little Christmas Elf. She currently lives in Woodland, California, with her husband and two children. When shes not busy with family, work, or writing, she loves to visit the coast. The first thing she packs in her suitcase is always a book. nBEA JACKSON loves telling stories through her art, from dynamic and diverse character design to delightfully fun and energetic childrens book illustrations. She attended the College for Creative Studies and is the 2007 grand prize winner of L. Ron Hubbards Illustrators of the Future award. In addition, Beas work as a character and concept artist has been featured on the covers of books, in comics, and in various magazines and articles.n