James Preller is the author of the popular Jigsaw Jones mystery books, which have sold more than 10 million copies. He is also the author of Bystander, named a 2009 Junior Library Guild Selection; Six Innings, an ALA Notable Book; and Mighty Casey, his own twist on the classic poem “Casey at the Bat.” In addition to writing full time, Preller plays in a men’s hardball league and coaches Little League. He compares coaching kids to “trying to hold the attention of a herd of earthworms.” He lives in Delmar, New York, with his wife, three children, and their cats and dog.

Audrey Vernick writes fiction and nonfiction for young readers, including The World’s Best Class Plant, All Star: How Larry Doby Smashed the Color Barrier in Baseball, and After the Worst Thing Happens. A three-time recipient of the New Jersey Arts Council’s writing fellowship, Audrey’s books have been translated into more than a dozen languages. She lives near the ocean in New Jersey with her family. Visit her at AudreyVernick.com.

Joëlle Dreidemy can’t remember the first time she started drawing…maybe the first time she picked up a pencil! She spent her childhood among books from Roald Dahl, Quentin Blake, Tony Ross, Ralph Steadman, and others who influenced her style. Joelle studied art at the famous Emile Cohl School in Lyon, France, where she met fantastic and motivating teachers like Yves Got and Jean Claverie. She now lives in Paris illustrating projects for French, English, American, and Korean publishers. When not drawing, Joelle practices karate, plays piano, and goes to museums and the movies.