Janet Halfmann is the author of more than thirty books for children, including several nonfiction and natural science titles. After researching African American achievements during the Civil War, she was inspired to write about Robert Smalls, “a person who used his talents to help others and make the world a better place.” Halfmann has four grown children and lives with her husband in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Visit Janet Halfmann on the Web at janethalfmann.com

Duane Smith is an artist, illustrator, and graphic designer with a degree from Pratt Institute in New York City and a Masters in Illustration from the Fashion Institute of Technology. His wide-ranging works have been featured in periodicals, books, movie storyboards, and galleries. As an art instructor for Pratt's Summer Design Program, Smith inspires children to think conceptually and independently. He also works in graphic design and interactive media development, and splits his time between homes in Brooklyn and Albany, New York. This is his first picture book. Visit him online at http://wwwdsmithillustrationcom.blogspot.com .