Penn takes her educational program, the Writing Penn, into schools, libraries, and children's hospitals. She is a sought-after conference speaker for groups of teachers and other professionals who work with children.

Barbara L. Gibson received her B.F.A. from Carnegie Mellon University. She has illustrated more than three dozen books, including the National Geographic Society's award-winning six-book Little Learners' Library and a pop-up book, Creatures of the Desert World. She also illustrated Patricia Cornwell's Life's Little Fable, Marie and Roland Smith's N is for Our Nation's Capital and Audrey Penn's The Whistling Tree, A Pocket Full of Kisses and A Kiss Goodbye. An ardent environmentalist, she specializes in horse, wildlife and nature illustration. When not engrossed in work, she can often be found at the small farm where her horse is boarded or at the therapeutic riding center where she volunteers her time. She and her composer husband, Robert, live in Olney, Maryland, with their dogs, Sadie and Tess. Their grown daughter, Caitlin, lives and works in the Washington area. More of Ms. Gibson's work can be seen at www.barbaragibson.com.

An award-winning illustrator, Barbara Leonard Gibson has been a freelance artist in the Washington DC area for over 25 years. Degreed in Fine Art and Design from Carnegie Mellon University, Barbara's work runs the gamut between historical illustrations to children's books.