Norton Juster was the author of a number of children's books, including the contemporary classic The Phantom Tollbooth, illustrated by Jules Feiffer, as well as the sequel to The Hello, Goodbye Window and also illustrated by Chris Raschka, Sourpuss and Sweetie Pie.

Formerly an architect by trade, he lived in Amherst, Massachusetts.

G. Brian Karas is the prolific, versatile, and award-winning illustrator of many books for children, including A Poem in Your Pocket, How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin?, and The Apple Orchard Riddle. He also illustrated A Hat for Mrs. Goldman by Michelle Edwards; Neville by Norton Juster; Clever Jack Takes the Cake by Candace Fleming, which received four starred reviews; Are You Going to Be Good? by Cari Best, a New York Times Best Illustrated Book; and Home on the Bayou, a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book.