NIKKI SHANNON SMITH is the author of numerous books, ranging from picture books to young adult. Her work includes the Azaleah Lane chapter book series and five titles in Capstone’s multi-author historical fiction/adventure middle-grade series, Girls Survive. Nikki also wrote A Star Like Jesse Owens, a Smithsonian historical fiction title about the 1936 Olympics. Her forthcoming titles include Beautiful Colors (Random House/Little Golden Books, 2022) and additional board books in the Brown Baby Parade series. She is passionate about the authentic representation of all children and writes stories depicting the history and struggles of Black people, as well as “Black joy.” She lives in Davis, California. Learn more about Nikki and her books at nikkishannonsmith.com.

DeANDRA HODGE is an illustrator and a graphic designer originally from Huntsville, Alabama, currently based in Washington, D.C. She graduated with a BA in fine art from the University of Montevallo. Her love of illustration began as a child, when she would make up her own stories and illustrations, often begging her teachers to share them with the class. Having begun her professional illustration career in 2021 with the CAT Agency, DeAndra loves designing cute characters and capturing their emotions, as well as using color to set the mood of an environment.