Roda Ahmed is a
New York Times bestselling publisher and author of the beloved children’s book
Mae Among the Stars, which is now in its nineteenth printing. Roda is the founder and CEO of HighTree Publishing, a boutique publishing house that focuses on publishing diverse children’s books. She has authored more than twelve books for children and continues to help authors and illustrators make their publishing dreams come true. Roda was born in Somalia and grew up in Norway. She can speak five languages: Somali, Arabic, Norwegian, English, and French. She currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband and two children.
Stasia Burrington is a Japanese-American illustrator and fine artist who makes her home in SeaTac, Washington, with her partner and two cats. She loves experimental cooking, camping, and everything having to do with science and science fiction.