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.

Bagram Ibatoulline has illustrated many acclaimed books for children, including The Matchbox Diary by Paul Fleischman;

On the Blue Comet by Rosemary Wells; The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane and Great Joy, both by Kate DiCamillo; and The Serpent Came to Gloucester by M. T. Anderson. Bagram Ibatoulline lives in Chichester, New York.