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.

Diana Sudyka is a Chicago-based illustrator who got her start designing and screen-printing posters for musicians such as St. Vincent, Andrew Bird, and the Decemberists.

She also volunteers at the Field Museum in Chicago, where Sue the T. rex is housed.