Kwame Alexander (Author) Kwame Alexander is a poet, children's book author, playwright, producer, public speaker, performer, and winner of the Newbery Medal for his novel-in-verse, The Crossover . He conducts creative writing workshops in middle and high schools, often reaching more than five hundred students monthly. He lives with his wife and two daughters in the Washington, D.C., area. Visit his website at www.kwamealexander.com.

Kadir Nelson (Illustrator) Kadir Nelson is an American artist who currently exhibits his artwork in galleries and museums nationwide and abroad. He has created artwork for a host of distinguished clients including Sports Illustrated, The Coca-Cola Company and Dreamworks SKG as the lead conceptual artist creating for Steven Spielberg's Oscar nominated feature film, Amistad . He has created artwork for albums by Michael Jackson and Drake, and is the creator of several bestselling picture books.