Mimi Chapra was born in Havana, Cuba. As a young girl, she loved to recite rhymes while she jumped rope, and she took up jumping rope again to help her feel the rhythm of this story. Mimi is a full-time writer. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking with her husband in the Wissahikon woods near their home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Christy Hale has illustrated numerous award-winning books for children, including Elizabeti’s Doll, its two sequels, and Sky Dancers, all published by Lee & Low Books. The East-West House: Noguchi’s Childhood in Japan marks Hale’s debut as a picture book author. She is also an art educator and has introduced young readers to the lives and works of many artists through Instructor magazine’s Masterpiece of the Month feature and accompanying workshops. Hale lives with her husband and their daughter in Palo Alto, California. She can be found online at christyhale.com.