Nancy Bess Had a Dress

Claire Annette Noland is an award-winning author of books for young children. As a children's librarian, reading specialist, and author, her life's goal is to excite kids about books and reading. Claire lives with her husband in a book-filled home in Kingsburg, California and finds inspiration from the children in her life, family stories, and her very large poodle-mix, Mr. Ernie. When not writing, you can find Claire stocking her Little Free Library, playing bocce ball on the beach, and taking field trips using kidlit as her travel guide. Connect with Claire at www.claireannettenoland.com.

The Arts are embedded in Angela Hawkins' DNA: Not only has she wielded pencils, crayons, and markers from when she was as small as her book characters, she's also studied violin, piano, voice, and ballet (her heart won't let go!). Much to her teenage sons' chagrin, she is often found - and heard! - singing, humming, whistling, and dancing to the music swirling through her neurons. Angela has won a number of illustration awards, including the 2021 SW-Texas SCBWI Portfolio Award, the 2020 Summer SCBWI Bulletin Art Spot, the 2017 SCBWI Don Freeman Grant Winner, and the 2017 RMC-SCBWI Portfolio Showcase. She's illustrated for several clients, including Babybug, Ladybug, and Spider Magazines. Cute kids and charismatic animals are her specialty. Above all else, she aims to delight, educate, and inspire love while attempting to capture the wonder of our world and the beauty within each human soul. She lives in Denver, Colorado. Connect with Angela at www.angelachawkins.com.