Faraway Family

Padma Venkatraman (padmavenkatraman.com) was born in India and became an American after living in five countries and working as an oceanographer. She also wrote The Bridge Home (Walter Award, Golden Kite Award, Global Read-Aloud), A Time to Dance (IBBY selection, ALA Notable), Island’s End (CCBC Choice, South Asia Book Award), and Climbing the Stairs (ALA/Amelia Bloomer List, Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People). She lives in Rhode Island.

Nicole Wong was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, to two artist parents, so never thought of becoming anything except an illustrator.  She drew constantly as a girl—including on the walls behind furniture, where her mom would find drawings years later. She received her first freelance illustration job when she was twelve, then graduated from RISD with a BFA in illustration at twenty-two. Now, she’s happily 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. She can be found online at Nicole-Wong.com.