Various

Biography

HarperCollins Publishers is a proud supporter of First Book, a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to give children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their own new books. The primary goal of First Book is to work with existing literacy programs to distribute new books to children who, for economic reasons, have little or no access to books. In this way, First Book effectively leverages the heroic efforts of local tutoring, mentoring, and family literacy organizations as they work to reach children who need help the most. First Book distributes millions of books to hundreds of thousands of children nationwide each year. For more information on First Book, please visit www.firstbook.org.

Jan Berenstain

Biography

Stan and Jan Berenstain were already successful cartoonists for magazines and adult humor books when they began writing children's books. The first story starring the bear family, The Big Honey Hunt, appeared in 1962. Since then, more than 370 Berenstain Bears books have been published, and more than 300 million copies have been sold. What began as an idea sparked by their young sons' love of reading has become over the years arguably the best-selling children's book series ever.

Since their inception, the Berenstain Bears stories have expanded to include picture books, beginning readers, and chapter books--even a hit TV show on PBS. Writing and illustrating the books has become a Berenstain family affair. Mike joined with his parents as a creative team in the late 1980s. The Bear family has expanded over the years as well. Sister Bear arrived in 1974, and baby Honey joined the family in 2000.

Though Stan died in 2005 and Jan in 2012, Mike continues to create the delightful Berenstain Bear adventures from his studio in Pennsylvania.

Ree Drummond

Biography

Ree Drummond is the author of six #1 New York Times bestselling cookbooks in the Pioneer Woman Cooks series, the New York Times bestsellers Frontier Follies and The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels, and many bestselling children's books. Her award-winning website, The Pioneer Woman, was founded in 2006 and showcases her cooking, photography, and anecdotes about country life. Her top-rated cooking show, The Pioneer Woman, premiered on Food Network in 2011, and in the years to follow, Ree launched The Pioneer Woman magazine, a well-loved line of kitchen and home products, and a restaurant, store, and other businesses in her hometown of Pawhuska, Oklahoma. She lives on a working ranch with her family, horses, cows, and pups.

Grace Gilman

Biography

Grace Gilman is a former children's book editor. She lives in New York City.

Victoria Kann

Biography

Victoria Kann is the author-artist of the New York Times bestseller Peterrific, and four #1 New York Times bestselling books Aqualicious, Emeraldalicious, Silverlicious, and Goldilicous. She is the artist and coauthor of the New York Times bestsellers Pinkalicious and Purplicious. In addition, Victoria cowrote Pinkalicious: The Musical which premiered in New York City to sold-out audiences and continues to be performed across the country. Victoria is the co-executive producer of Pinkalicious & Peterrific on PBS Kids. Her award-winning artwork has graced the covers and pages of many magazines, newspapers, and books. She lives with her husband and two daughters. Readers can follow Pinkalicious on Facebook and Twitter. For more Pinkalicious and Peterrific fun, visit www.thinkpinkalicious.com.

Gene Zion

Biography

Gene Zion and two-time Caldecott Honor winner Margaret Bloy Graham have collaborated on several favorite stories about Harry: Harry by the Sea, Harry the Dirty Dog, and No Roses for Harry.