Biographical note

Lesléa Newman has created 75 books for readers of all ages, including Gittel’s Journey: An Ellis Island Story, The Eight Nights of Chanukah, and A Sweet Passover. Her literary awards include two National Jewish Book Awards, the Association of Jewish Libraries Sydney Taylor Body-of-Work Award, the Massachusetts Book Award, and the Christopher Medal. She has received creative writing fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Massachusetts Artists Foundation. She lives in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Susan Gal has illustrated numerous children's books. Her accolades include the Sydney Taylor Book Award and National Jewish Book Award. She began her illustration career as a poster and calendar artist, then worked as an "actor with a pencil" for Disney Animation before returning to her native California to create fun and whimsical illustrations.