Known by many children as the "teacher who dances on his desk," Gene Gagliano is an elementary school teacher and writer with a great sense of humor who lives with his wife Carol at the base of the Bighorn Mountains in Buffalo, Wyoming. He loves children and has four of his own—Gina, Jared, Darin and Nathan—and son—in—law, Ron. A member of the Wyoming Writers and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Gene has been published in "Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul." His first book, entitled "Secret of the Black Widow," was published in 2002. Gene and Carol are members of a professional singing group, the Polyester Blends. He enjoys making his educational and entertaining school visits, as well as hiking, canoeing, gardening and painting.

Helle Urban, a Parker, Colorado, resident, has been an illustrator for more than 20 years. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in illustration from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. Helle has illustrated numerous children's books, painted portraits of families and was a background artist in the animation industry. Helle's work has also been displayed in numerous galleries.