Erin Frankel is a children's book author who loves telling stories of empathy and wonder. Her picture books include Mary Oliver, Holding on to Wonder, A Plate of Hope: The Inspiring StoryofChef José Andrés and World Central Kitchen, the Weird! series and Remembering Barkley. Erin enjoys visiting schools to talk to students about stories and kindness. She lives with her family in Pittsburgh, where she writes, teaches, and hopes.
Paula Heaphy is a print and pattern designer in the fashion industry.
She’s an explorer of all artistic mediums from glassblowing to shoemaking, but her biggest love is drawing. She jumped at the chance to illustrate her friend Erin’s story, having been bullied herself as a child. As the character of Luisa came to life on paper, Paula felt her path in life suddenly shift into focus.
She lives in Brooklyn, New York, where she hopes to use her creativity to light up the hearts of children for years to come.