KRISTI VALIANT's love of dance led her to jump and jive in a Latin and swing dance group called The Fourth Street Alley Cats. Unfortunately, there were no penguins in the group. Kristi illustrates the Little Wings chapter book series and has illustrated a handful of picture books including The Goodbye Cancer Garden. This is her first picture book as both author and illustrator. She graduated magna cum laude from Columbus College of Art & Design and serves as the Regional Director for the Indiana chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Kristi grew up in Wisconsin and now lives in Indiana with her husband, daughters, and a room full of monkeys and hippos (and some sneaky penguins).