Padma Venkatraman (PadmaVenkatraman.com) was born in India and became an American after living in five countries and working as an oceanographer. She wrote the novels Safe Harbor, Born Behind Bars (South Asia Book Award, Junior Library Guild Selection), The Bridge Home (Walter Award, Golden Kite Award, Global Read Aloud Selection), A Time to Dance (IBBY Selection, ALA Notable), Island’s End (CCBC Choice, Kirkus Best Book for Teens), and Climbing the Stairs (ALA Amelia Bloomer List, Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People). Faraway Family is her first picture book. She lives in Rhode Island.

Nicole Wong (Nicole-Wong.com) has illustrated numerous picture books, including Love Stays Strong (by Paula Schneider). She was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in illustration, and is now a full-time illustrator of children’s books. She continues to live in Fall River with her husband, daughter, mean kitty, and happy, high-energy dogs.