Stuart J. Murphy is a visual learning specialist. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, he has a strong background in design and art direction. He also has extensive experience in the world of educational publishing. Drawing on all these talents, Stuart J. Murphy brings a unique perspective to the MathStart series. In MathStart books, pictures do more than tell stories; they teach math. Stuart J. Murphy and his wife, Nancy, live in Boston. Sylvie Wickstrom is the author and illustrator of several books for children. I Love You, Mister Bear was inspired by Ms. Wickstrom's daughter, Sosha, who once rescued her own Mister Bear from a local yard sale. The original Mister Bear now keeps Ms. Wickstrom company in her studio while she writes and illustrates her picture books. Sylvie Wickstrom grew up in France and now lives in Albany, New York.