Maureen Johnson was born in Philadelphia, but soon ran off to New York City to study writing and drama at Columbia University.

Along the way, she served up hamburgers in the company of mad scientists and talking skeletons in New York, worked in a bar in Piccadilly Circus, nervously worked alongside five tigers in Las Vegas, and once got mixed up with the entire cast of a major West End musical.

She is the author of The Key to the Golden Firebird and The Bermudez Triangle.

Jay Cooper has worked as a creative director and designer of magazines, books, apparel. However, nothing makes him happier than creating and illustrating stories for kids. He lives with his wife and children in Maplewood, New Jersey.