The Hiking Viking

Laura Gehl is a former science teacher who still loves getting kids excited about science and nature . . . now through her books. Ever since reading about a poop-shooting caterpillar many years ago, Gehl has spent time researching and writing about interesting creatures and their behaviors. She is the author of more than two dozen books for young readers, including the Baby Scientist board book series, Odd Beasts, Happy Llamakkah!, and Happy Owl-Oween!. Gethl lives with her husband and four kids in Chevy Chase, Maryland, where she enjoys observing and exploring in the woods near her home. Gareth Lucas is an illustrator and designer living in Essex, England, with his wife and five children. After studying at the University of Brighton School of Art and Central Saint Martins, he has worked on a variety of projects but enjoys nothing more than illustrating animals, birds, and the natural world. When he is not working, he can be heard indulging his other love--the banjo!

Timothy Banks is an award-winning artist and illustrator from Charleston, South Carolina. He's created character designs for Nike, Nickelodeon, and Cartoon Network; quirky covers for Paste magazine; and lots of children's books with titles like There's A Norseman in My Classroom and The Frankenstein Journals. Also he's had the honor to be featured in Lurzer's Archive's 200 Best Illustrators Worldwide, and his work has been shown at Gallery Nucleus LA. He also recently wrote and illustrated a monster book opus for his hometown entitled Monsters in Charleston. You can find him most days painting and watching alligators swim by in his backyard.