MELINDA SZYMANIK is an award-winning writer of novels, poetry, short stories and picture books for young people. Her most recent titles are Lucy and the Dark (Puffin [PRH], 2023) and Sun Shower (Scholastic, 2023).

LAEL CHISHOLM is a picture book illustrator best known for illustrating Heather Haylock's Granny McFlitter series. In 2017 she became the youngest person to win the Storylines Gavin Bishop Award for illustrating Granny McFlitter, the Champion Knitter. The Hug Blanket by Chris Gurney (also illustrated by Chisholm) was a finalist in the picture book category at the NZCYA Awards in 2021.