Kashmira Sheth was born in India with Guajarati as her mother tongue, and began learning English in fifth grade. She had lived in Bhavnagar and Mumbai before moving to United States when she was seventeen to attend Iowa State University, where she received a BS in microbiology. Before becoming an author Kashmira had many different jobs, including running a dance school and choreographing and performing Indian dances, working in a bakery, and working as a food microbiologist. She is the author of several picture books, chapter books, and middle grade and young adult novels. Taking inspiration from her own life and experiences, much of Kashmira’s work centers on Indian culture and features Indian and Indian-American characters. You can visit  her website here.

Jenn Kocsmierksy is a watercolor artist and picture book illustrator. She was adopted from Seoul, South Korea and grew up in rural New Hampshire. Now, as a mom and artist, Jenn hopes to promote relatable childhood experiences featuring diverse characters. She was the recipient of the 2018 We Need Diverse Books Mentorship for Illustration and the 2016–2017 Walter Dean Meyers Grant. She lives in New York with her two children and a ginormous goldfish named Joey. You can visit her website here.

“The story is charmingly told… Blake’s colorful cartoons are as appealing as ever. The small trim size and cream-colored pages go well with the quiet story, making this a good choice for libraries that have plenty of big, jolly Christmas books and want some more thoughtful fare.” ―School Library Journal

“Blake’s relaxed and wiry-lined watercolors do much to convey a heartfelt turning point in a boy’s childhood.” ―Publishers Weekly

“Blake’s loose watercolor-and-ink illustrations and the volume’s small size complement the whimsical nature of the story.” ―Kirkus Reviews

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“Blake’s typically charming, scribbly color-washed drawings illustrate the Murail sisters’ slim, engaging story… children who, like Julian, are ready to renounce Santa, will enjoy the suggestion that holiday magic may be real after all.” ―Booklist

“Santa’s Last Present is one magical Christmas story that will have children thinking. I am still thinking.” ―Kid Lit Reviews

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Marie-Aude Murail is the author of numerous children’s books. She lives in France.

Elvire Murail is the author of numerous children’s books. She lives in France.

Quentin Blake is a best-selling illustrator and author-illustrator of more than one hundred books and the recipient of numerous awards, including the Kate Greenaway Medal and a Bologna Ragazzi Award. In 1999, Blake was named the first Children’s Laureate of the United Kingdom. He lives in England and France. You can visit his website here.

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Jonathan Emmett, in addition to writing picture books, also writes and paperengineers pop-up books. He is the author of several books, including The Princess and the Pig, also illustrated by Poly Bernatene. He lives in England. You can visit his website here.

Poly Bernatene is a visiting professor at Buenos Aires School of Fine Art. He has worked in advertising, animation, and comics, and has illustrated over sixty children’s books. He lives in Argentina. You can visit his website here.

“The joy of this book is in its delightful visual and textual details. Simple and satisfying pen-and-ink and watercolor artwork draws the eye to Little Rabbit’s facial expressions, which include childish wonderment, frustration, and bravado. An enchanting holiday treat for all collections.” ―School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

“Brightened with watercolor washes, the ink drawings create expressive characters whose emotions are easy to read. In Little Rabbit, preschoolers will find an everybunny.” ―Booklist

“Exceptionally nuanced illustrations in Horse’s signature pen-and-ink and watercolors of an irresistible animal cast turn an obvious lesson about the importance of sharing into an appetizing holiday story.” ―Publishers Weekly

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“Delivered in such an attractive package, the story’s message goes down as easily as a sled bearing a load of good friends.” ―Horn Book Guide

“Young ones can learn with Little Rabbit how much better sharing is than being selfish. A good read to keep on hand” ―Nashville Parent

“Beautifully quaint and colorful illustrations help tell the story of Little Rabbit, who more than anything wants a red sled for Christmas. But when he gets his wish, he doesn’t want anyone to ride on it. A sweet, gentle lesson about friendship and sharing.” ―Pittsburgh Parent

“This book is certain to become a favorite.” ―The Richmond Times-Dispatch

“Charming in every way.” ―The Sunday Plain Dealer

“A perfect story of friendship, this selection resounds with a solid message.” ―Books to Borrow Books to Buy

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Best Children’s Books of the Year ―Bank Street College of Education, 2008

CCBC Choices (Seasons and Celebrations) ―Cooperative Children’s Book Center, 2008

Friends Medallion (Special Award) ―Virginia Beach Friends School, 2007

Harry Horse wrote and illustrated many books for children, including the popular Little Rabbit picture books and several Middle Grade novels. He was also a political cartoonist for several national newspapers in the United Kingdom. He passed away in 2007.

David Bouchard is the author of many books, including The Dragon New Year and the award-winning bestsellers The Elders Are Watching and If You’re Not from the Prairie, as well as the internationally renowned The Great Race. Bouchard won the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award in 1997. He lives in Canada. You can visit his website here.

Zhong-Yang Huang has built an impressive international career as an artist, melding contemporary Western influences with traditional Chinese painting. He has illustrated several children’s books, including The Dragon New Year, The Great Race, Buddha in the Garden, The Mermaid’s Muse, and Dragon of Heaven: The Memoirs of the Last Empress of China, all by David Bouchard. His striking paintings can be found in private and corporate collections around the world.

Richard Keep is the author-illustrator of several children’s books, including Clatter Bash! and A Thump from Upstairs. He lives in North Carolina. You can visit his website here.

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John McCutcheon is an accomplished instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter. He has received multiple Grammy nominations and numerous other awards, and regularly appears on National Public Radio. He lives in Georgia. You can visit his website here.

Henri Sorensen has illustrated over twenty books for children, including The Yellow Star, The Printer, and Christmas in the Trenches. He is also the author-illustrator of two children’s books, New Hope and Your First Step. Sorensen lives in Denmark.

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Mark Burgess has been a writer and artist of children’s books for over twenty years. His titles include Where Teddy Bears Come From, When Vegetables Attack,Mutiny At Crossbones Bay, and Dogs’ Night. He lives in England.

Russell Ayto has illustrated several picture books, including One More Sheep and Where Teddy Bears Come From. He lives in England.

“The oil painting illustrations do right by the story (so much that one wishes it were true), capturing the atmosphere of a community willing to stick together as they journey against the grain, whether that means bringing snow somehow to the South or standing by an unpopular belief.” ―School Library Journal

“Pleasant oil paintings in a large format create the appropriate historical milieu for the Southern, pre-Civil War setting and appealing personalities for the two girls…” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Sure to be popular at holiday time, this is a fictionalized account of how a Unitarian choir director happened to write one of our more ubiquitous winter holiday songs… Although this is a small event, lush oil illustrations with the characters’ expressions featured prominently give the whole affair an air of significance…A fascinating, unusual bit of historical fiction.” ―Booklist

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“Gustavson’s period oil paintings are impressively realistic and emotive, effectively capturing the minister’s passion.” ―Publishers Weekly

“Gustavson’s accomplished paintings, realistic yet folksy, reveal small dramas not in the text, and each face in the choir and congregation seems to hide an entire character study…” ―The Horn Book Magazine

“’Jingle Bells’ by John Harris tells again of the power of reminiscence and memories. Good reading.” ―Hickory Ridge Reader

“John Harris’s charming fictional account of the true story behind the song “Jingle Bells” harmonizes perfectly with Adam Gustavson’s lively illustrations.” ―Sunday Morning Magazine

“The holidays beg for books that can be read aloud and enjoyed by the whole family, from tot to grandparent. With its painterly illustrations and well-paced story, Jingle Bells is one of those books… Knowing the song’s backstory deepens one’s appreciation for this classic.” ―Washington Parent

“John Harris expands the little that is known about how “Jingle Bells” was composed with an interesting backstory of the Unitarian Church’s stand against slavery. Oil paintings by Adam Gustavson capture the essence of life in the 1850s.” ―The Wichita Eagle

“Author John Harris explains in an imaginative and believable way of how he came up with the fictional account of the writing of “Jingle Bells.” The lively illustrations by Adam Gustavson fit well with the upbeat music of the beloved song. I love holiday books that make reading aloud fun. This book does just that. Recommended holiday read for anybody who loves the Christmas classic, “Jingle Bells.”” ―Boys to Books

“Illustrator Adam Gustavson’s lively images enhance this charming book, a great read-aloud for the holiday season, especially for elementary school classes learning to sing this classic tune!” ―The Fourth Musketeer

“Overall this is a story of nostalgia and celebration.” ―Interesting Nonfiction for Kids

“I really enjoyed the story. It was a quick and easy read with a cute ending…I will definitely have this book in my classroom library.” ―Maestra Amanda’s Bookshelf

“I’m so glad I was granted a copy because really…haven’t YOU ever wondered where some of our favorite carols came from? I have…” ―Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

“A perfect addition to both multicultural studies and holiday collections, children will be stirred when they hear the story of the creation of the song ‘Jingle Bells’…” ―Lake Hiawatha Library

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Society of School Librarians International Book Awards (Honor Book, Language Arts, Grades K-6 Picture Books) ―Society of School Librarians International, 2012

Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Intermediate) ―Kansas National Education Association, 2012

Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award ―Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, 2011

John Harris has written a number of books for children, including several historical fiction books, He lives in Georgia.

Adam Gustavson is the illustrator of more than twenty books for children, as well as numerous periodicals. He holds a master of fine arts degree from the School of Visual Arts in New York, and teaches at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He lives in New Jersey. You can visit his website here.

“Expansive oil paintings keep the energy high…” ―Publishers Weekly

“Santa sparkles throughout the pages, thanks to the illustrator’s contribution. The book, written in rhyme, captures Santa’s jolly essence perfectly.” ―The Oklahoman

“This humorously-written, imaginative book…is a must-have for K-5 Santa-lovers everywhere… In short, every page of this over-sized, hard back picture book is a story-starter.” ―Picture Book Depot

“The perfect post-holiday picture book the entire family will enjoy. The story is wonderful to read with its rhyming and perfect meter. The illustrations are collector worthy.” ―Kid Lit Reviews

The Original Art ―Society of Illustrators, 2007

Mike Reiss has garnered top awards as a television writer, including four Emmys and a Peabody for his work on The Simpsons. Reiss is also the author of several children’s books. He is a former president of The Harvard Lampoon and editor of The National Lampoon. He lives in New York.

Michael G. Montgomery has illustrated numerous children’s books. He attended Georgia Southern University and the University of Georgia. He lives in Georgia. You can visit his website here.