Author/Illustrator Info:

Award-winning Jennifer Keats Curtis has penned numerous stories about animals, including Creek Critters, Kali's Story: An Orphaned Polar Bear Rescue (Children's Choice Book Award Winner) and After A While Crocodile: Alexa’s Diary (NSTA/CBC Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children), with co-author Dr. Brady Barr of Nat Geo Wild's Dangerous Encounter, Baby Bear's Adoption with wildlife biologists at Michigan's DNR, River Rescue with Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research, Inc.; and Moonlight Crab Count with co-author Dr. Neeti Bathala. The long-time writer's other recent books include The Lizard Lady, with co-author Dr. Nicole Angeli, Maggie: Alaska's Last Elephant and the Animal Helpers series. When not writing, Jennifer can be found among students and teachers, talking about literacy and conservation.

Susan Kleven is the Director of the Frank Buck Zoo in Texas. In addition to leading the expansion that doubled the size of the zoo, number of habitats, animal collection and staff, she has hosted many symposia and workshops on small mammals, training, hoofstock, and disaster response aid. She also serves as expert advisor for an animal care software company. In 2024, Susan traveled to South Africa to observe and photograph giraffes in the wild. She enjoys hiking, nature photography, and traveling anywhere wild animals can be found. She and her husband Dave live in Gainesville, Texas, where they enjoy the diversity of bird and pollinator species that migrate through the area.