Author BIANCA BOWMAN grew up in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. She enjoys reading, playing music, and adventuring. Currently she resides in Washington, D.C. as an adminitrative assistant, creative consultant, and writer with National Geographic Kids magazine. She has been known to "pirate" on weekends and holidays. Illustrator JASON THARP is a long-time illustrator for National Geographic Kids magazine. He has created graphics for major retailers, designed websites, illustrated for children's books, medical and educational brochures, and much more. In addition to creating art and designing, he's the founder of Corky Mansfield, a design company that provides creative art for the home.