Malcolm Newsome is an author from the Chicago area. He writes picture books with the aim of bringing hope and possibility to as many young people as he can. He is the author Dear Star Baby and Sydney's Big Speech, and several more forthcoming titles. When he's not writing or spending time with family, you'll probably find him either reading, spending time outside in his mini-orchard, making homemade pop (not soda!), baking bread, or being a lumberjack. Jenin Mohammed was born and raised in Florida. She is the illustrator of many beloved books including They Built Me for Freedom, The Band in Our Basement, When I Wrap My Hair, Naming Ceremony, Song in the City, and more. Thanks to her Christian/ Muslim upbringing, she is on a never-ending quest to find halal versions of her favorite southern dishes. Jenin's interests include creating henna art, freestyle rapping (very badly), and pen-tapping offbeat.