Margaret Hillert has written over 80 books for children who are just learning to read. Her books have been translated into many languages and have helped children throughout the world learn to read. She first started writing poetry as a child and has continued to write for children and adults throughout her life. As a first grade teacher, Margaret realized that the books available for students just learning to read were beyond their comprehension. She then began to write her easy readers and poetry for children. Her first collection of poetry Father Than Far was published in 1969. Her many awards include the Chicago Children's Reading Round Table Annual Award for outstanding contributions to the field of children's literature. Other honors include the David W. Longe Prize and the Michigan Bookwoman of the Year Award. A teacher for 34 years, she is now retired and lives in Michigan where she continues to write stories and poetry.

When Patrick Girouard was growing up, his teachers constantly scolded him for drawing monsters instead of paying attention in class. Many years later, he put all of that practice to good use when his first book assignment turned out to be about Halloween! Now he lives in Indiana and gets to draw all day. His work can be found on greeting cards, games, toys, puzzles, books, odd scraps of paper, the margins of newspapers, and his Mom's refrigerator door. Patrick loves coffee, has the strength of ten men, and hates writing about himself in the third person. Oh, and he was once struck by lightning and magnetized for a week.

When Patrick Girouard was growing up, his teachers constantly scolded him for drawing monsters instead of paying attention in class. Many years later, he put all of that practice to good use when his first book assignment turned out to be about Halloween! Now he lives in Indiana and gets to draw all day. His work can be found on greeting cards, games, toys, puzzles, books, odd scraps of paper, the margins of newspapers, and his Mom's refrigerator door. Patrick loves coffee, has the strength of ten men, and hates writing about himself in the third person. Oh, and he was once struck by lightning and magnetized for a week.

When Patrick Girouard was growing up, his teachers constantly scolded him for drawing monsters instead of paying attention in class. Many years later, he put all of that practice to good use when his first book assignment turned out to be about Halloween! Now he lives in Indiana and gets to draw all day. His work can be found on greeting cards, games, toys, puzzles, books, odd scraps of paper, the margins of newspapers, and his Mom's refrigerator door. Patrick loves coffee, has the strength of ten men, and hates writing about himself in the third person. Oh, and he was once struck by lightning and magnetized for a week.

When Patrick Girouard was growing up, his teachers constantly scolded him for drawing monsters instead of paying attention in class. Many years later, he put all of that practice to good use when his first book assignment turned out to be about Halloween! Now he lives in Indiana and gets to draw all day. His work can be found on greeting cards, games, toys, puzzles, books, odd scraps of paper, the margins of newspapers, and his Mom's refrigerator door. Patrick loves coffee, has the strength of ten men, and hates writing about himself in the third person. Oh, and he was once struck by lightning and magnetized for a week.