Maria Gianferrari has always loved trees. She has climbed fig trees in Italy, stood under stately coastal redwoods and twisted Torrey pines, and marveled at mitten-shaped sassafras leaves, colorful coral trees, and sawtooth oak acorn nests.

She lives with her family in a house encircled by trees, one of which is a spruce planted in memory of her beloved dog, Becca. This is her first book with Abrams.

Patrice Barton earned a BFA in studio art from the University of Texas in Austin, where she lives with her husband and son. Her books include The invisible Boy and Quiet Please, Owen McPhee by Trudy Ludwig, as well as I Pledge Allegiance by Pat Mora and Libby Martinez and Remarkably You by Pat Zietlow Miller. Her work has been honored by the Society of Illustrators and the International Literacy Association (ILA) among others.