JIM HASKINS was the celebrated author of more than one hundred books, most on topics of African American history and achievement. His works received numerous honors, including the Coretta Scott King Author Award and the Carter G. Woodson Award. In 1994, Haskins was the recipient of the Washington Post Children's Book Guild Award for a body of work in nonfiction for young people.

WILL CLAY was a painter, sculptor, and nationally renowned illustrator of children's books who donned a straw hat and overalls or a colorful vest to promote art and reading through animated storytelling at schools. He died in 2011