Seymour Simon

Seymour Simon, whom the NY Times called "the dean of [children’s science] writers," is the author of more than 250 highly acclaimed science books (many of which have been named Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children by the National Science Teachers Association).  Simon taught science and creative writing in elementary and secondary schools and was chair of the science department at a junior high school in the New York City public school system before leaving to become a full-time writer.

Seymour Simon has been honored with many awards for his work, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science/Subaru Lifetime Achievement Award for his lasting contribution to children’s science literature; the New York State Knickerbocker Award for Juvenile Literature; the Hope S. Dean Memorial Award from the Boston Public Library for his contribution to children’s science literature; The Washington Post/Children’s Book Guild Award for Non-fiction; the Jeremiah Ludington Award for his outstanding contribution to children’s nonfiction; the Empire State Award for excellence in literature for young people; and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Forum on Children’s Science Books.

Seymour Simon writes and photographs nature from his hilltop home in Columbia County in upstate New York. You can follow his daily nature walks and see his photographs from the field on Twitter (@seymoursimon) or on his Facebook Author page. 

Learn more about Seymour on his website.

Frans Vischer

Frans Vischer grew up in Holland, playing soccer and drawing on rainy afternoons. At the age of eleven his family immigrated to America, settling in Cupertino, Northern California. Being the shy, new kid in school that spoke little English, Frans relied on his drawings to communicate.

Enthralled by the abundance of cartoons on American television, Frans marveled at Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, Tom and Jerry, and “The Wonderful World Of Disney,” and was quickly inspired to become an animator. 

At a local junior college event Frans met legendary Warner Bros. cartoon director Chuck Jones, and sent him one of his animated films. With a recommendation from Mr. Jones, Frans was accepted at California Institute of the Arts (Cal Arts) in Valencia, Southern California, where he studied animation under Disney veterans. Upon graduation in 1981 Frans went to work at the The Walt Disney Company.  Since then he’s worked on such films as The Princess and The Frog and Who Framed Roger Rabbit? at Disney, Cats Don't Dance at Warner Bros., and The Road To El Dorado at DreamWorks.

Observing and sketching his kids and telling bedtime stories produced a wealth of ideas for new projects. Frans wrote and illustrated his first book, Jimmy Dabble, published in 2001 by Dutton. And inspired by the antics of their enormous and lovable cat, Frans created Fuddles, about a pampered, fat cat seeking an adventure, published by Simon & Schuster in 2011. And for the 2013 holidays, A Very Fuddles Christmas.

Learn more about Frans on his website

Ethan Long

Ethan Long is an internationally recognized children's book author and illustrator who has over 70 titles to his credit, which include Tickle the Duck, Chamelia and the New Kid in Class, Me and My Big Mouse, My Dad, My Hero, Scribbles & Ink, One Drowsy Dragon and  Up, Tall and High!, the winner of the 2013 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award. He is also the creator of the Emmy-Nominated animated preschool series Tasty Time with ZeFronk, which currently airs daily on The Disney Channel. He lives with his wife and three children in Orlando, Florida.

Learn more about Ethan on his website.

Lisa M. Griffin

Lisa M. Griffin received a BFA in Visual Design/Illustration and started her career working as an in-house Designer for a leading financial company in Boston. Years later she made the leap to freelancing and has successfully established herself as a professional Illustrator and Designer. She regularly works with clients on a variety of creative projects including children's books, editorial/magazine illustration, graphic design and most recently, greeting cards and licensing.

With an affinity for wildlife and nature, as well as art, Lisa has developed her own mixed-media technique that is blend of both traditional and digital mediums. She enjoys making art that is lively with subtle textures and vibrant colors. Lisa hopes that her artwork will bring a smile to many... young, old and everyone in-between.

While working from her studio, she is surrounded by lots of creative inspiration. Lisa resides in scenic New Hampshire with her husband and three children.

Lisa writes about her dot, "My plan was to create an inquisitive character who spies an opening in the woods. But I wanted to leave the viewer guessing about whether he/she would explore what was beyond that opening. Would this little fox have the courage to move beyond a "safe place" to discover new and wonderful possibilities?"

Learn more about Lisa on her website.