Cynthia Rylant is a Newbery Medal-winning author and one of the most celebrated voices in children's literature. She has written more than one hundred books for young readers, spanning picture books, poetry, and early readers, including the beloved Henry and Mudge series. Her work is known for its lyrical language, emotional clarity, and focus on everyday moments of connection and reflection.
Drawing on a background rooted in small-town life and close observation of the natural world, Rylant's books often explore themes of kindness, resilience, and quiet wonder-qualities that have made her stories enduring favorites for families, classrooms, and read-aloud settings.
Nikki McClure is an acclaimed illustrator and author known for her distinctive cut-paper artwork, created entirely by hand with an X-Acto knife. Her work is recognized for its bold contrasts, clean lines, and expressive storytelling, capturing everyday moments with clarity and emotional resonance.
McClure has illustrated numerous children's books, including All in a Day, where her carefully composed imagery translates complex ideas-such as growth, change, and renewal-into visuals that are both striking and immediately accessible to young readers. Her art often draws on themes of nature, family, and community, using a limited color palette to create pages that feel both timeless and visually memorable. She lives and works in the Pacific Northwest, where she continues to create books, prints, and illustrations rooted in observation and craft.