Jerdine Nolen is the beloved author of many award-winning books, including Big Jabe ; Thunder Rose , a Coretta Scott King Illlustrator Honor Book; and Hewitt Anderson's Great Big Life , a Bank Street Best Book of the Year, all illustrated by Kadir Nelson. She is also the author of Eliza's Freedom Road , illustrated by Shadra Strickland, which was an ALA/YALSA Best Fiction Nominee for Young Adults; Raising Dragons , illustrated by Elise Primavera, which received the Christopher Award; and Harvey Potter's Balloon Farm , illustrated by Mark Buehner, which was made into a movie by the same name. Her other books include Calico Girl , a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year, and Irene's Wish , illustrated by A.G. Ford, which Kirkus Reviews called "delightful and memorable" in a starred review. Ms. Nolen is an educator and lives in Ellicott City, Maryland. James E.

Ransome's highly acclaimed illustrations for Before She Was Harriett received the 2018 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor. His other award-winning titles include the Coretta Scott King winner The Creation; Coretta Scott King Honor Book Uncle Jed's Barbershop ; Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt ; and Let My People Go , winner of the NAACP Image Award. He frequently collaborates with his wife, author Lesa Cline-Ransome. Some of their titles include Game Changers: The Story of Venus and Serena Williams , which received four starred review and was an ALA Notable book; My Story, My Dance: Robert Battle's Journey to Alvin Ailey ; and Words Set Me Free: The Story of Young Frederick Douglass . Mr. Ransome teaches illustration at Pratt Institute and lives in upstate New York with his family. Visit James at JamesRansome.com.