The Language of Birds

JON-ERIK LAPPANO is a person who stays up too late working on things, including writing books for children. His debut picture book, Tokyo Digs a Garden, illustrated by Kellen Hatanaka, won the Governor General’s Literary Award and was a finalist for the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award. His second book, Maggie’s Treasure, inspired by his daughters, was an International Youth Library White Raven award winner, and his other books, Song for the Snow and Martin and the River, each received wide critical acclaim. Jon-Erik lives in Stratford, Ontario, with his family and a growing assortment of pets.

ZACH MANBECK is an acclaimed children’s book author and illustrator based in Pennsylvania. As an artist, his work is described as modern vintage — nostalgic, yet fresh. As a writer, Zach aims to tell stories from a new perspective — stories that advocate for characters that haven’t yet had a chance to live in books, and stories sprinkled with lessons that encourage the forming of healthy minds. Zach made his picture book debut with You Are Here and he is the illustrator of Stanley’s Secret and Manolo and the Unicorn.