USA & You: Explore the 50 States

CANDICE RANSOM only ever wanted to be a children’s book writer. She is the author of over 125 books for kids and young adults, including Apple Picking Day! and Pumpkin Day! in the Step Into Reading series. A former teacher in the children’s literature program at Hollins University, she lives in Fredericksburg, Virginia, with her cats, Faulkner and Edison.

NIKKI SWIDERSKI graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2022 with a degree in illustration and has been working as a full-time artist since then. Her love for vintage patterns adds a unique touch to her children’s book artwork. Nikki combines traditional and digital media to create a charming collection of illustrations that feature cute animals, colorful flowers, and a touch of whimsy. Her art is often inspired by her Polish upbringing, especially the magic of mushroom foraging and springtime berry picking.