MARK TWAIN (1835–1910), considered one of the greatest writers in American literature, was born Samuel Langhorne Clemens in Florida, Missouri. As a young child, he moved with his family to Hannibal, Missouri, on the banks of the Mississippi River, a setting that inspired his two best-known novels, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Twain and his wife, Olivia Langdon Clemens, had four children—a son, Langdon, who died as an infant, and three daughters, Susy, Clara, and Jean.
PHILIP STEAD is the author of the Caldecott Medal–winning book A Sick Day for Amos McGee. With his wife, illustrator Erin Stead, he also created Bear Has a Story to Tell, Lenny & Lucy, and The Purloining of Prince Oleomargarine. Philip has also written and illustrated his own books, including Hello, My Name Is Ruby; Jonathan and the Big Blue Boat; and A Home for Bird. Philip and Erin live in Michigan. Visit Philip online at philipstead.com.
ERIN STEAD is the illustrator of the Caldecott Medal-winning A Sick Day for Amos McGee and its sequel, Amos McGee Misses the Bus, and the New York Times bestseller The Purloining of Prince Oleomargarine. Her other acclaimed picture books include: Tony; And Then It's Spring; Bear Has a Story to Tell; Lenny & Lucy; If You Want to See a Whale; The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles; and Music for Mr. Moon. She lives in Michigan with her husband, author/illustrator Philip Stead. Visit Erin online at erinstead.com.
