Mireille Messier is a Montreal-born, Ottawa-raised and now Toronto-based award-winning children's writer with a background in broadcasting and theater.

Before becoming an author, Mireille worked as a television and radio host, a scriptwriter, a book reviewer and a voice actress.

Sometimes she still does those things. Mireille has published over twenty books, some in French, others in English, for children of all ages.

The Branch was nominated for Shining Willow, Blue Spruce and Governor General's Awards. Mireille lives in Toronto with her husband, two wonderful daughters, three fluffy cats and over a hundred goldfish.

Kass Reich was born in Montreal, Canada. She works as an artist and educator and has spent a majority of the last decade traveling and living abroad. Kass graduated with a degree in Art Education from Concordia University and then picked up and moved to Beijing where she worked as an early childhood educator for nearly three years.

Working with the little ones inspired her to start making picture books for very young learners. After Beijing she lived in Hong Kong, London, England, and Melbourne, Australia. She now finds herself back in Canada, but this time in Toronto. Kass Reich lives in Toronto, Ontario.