Eugene Yelchin grew up in Saint Petersburg, Russia, where he trained as an artist and designed sets and costumes for the theater and ballet. His artwork has appeared in newspapers, magazines, and advertisements. He even drew the first polar bears used in the Coca-Cola commercials. He has also written and illustrated many children’s books. His first novel, Breaking Stalin’s Nose, received a Newbery Honor and was named one of the best books of 2011 by The Horn Book, and his novel The Haunting of Falcon House was a Golden Kite Award winner.

Mary Kuryla and Eugene Yelchin stay at home to make picture books for children. All day long Mary writes in her writing studio and Eugene paints in his painting studio. Then they drink tea with honey in their garden. They talk about their sons, Isaac and Ezra, and they talk about books. And this makes them feel cozy and safe. But sometimes they have to leave their house and meet new people. And this is when they often feel like Emma in this book. Mary and Eugene live and work in California.