RENE COLATO LAÍNEZ was born in El Salvador but moved to the United States in 1985. A writer since early childhood, Colato Laínez pursued a Bachelors degree in Liberal Studies from California State University at Northridge. He holds an MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. At Fernangeles elementary school where he teaches, he is known as “the teacher full of stories. Waiting for Papá/Esperando a Papá is his first book for children. Visit him at www.renecolatolainez.com.
ANTHONY ACCARDO was born in New York. He spent his childhood in southern Italy and studied art there. He holds a B.Tech. in Communication Design from New York City College of Technology, and an MFA in Illustration from the University of Hartford. He is currently an Assistant Professor at New York City College of Technology where he is teaching Illustration, Life Drawing and Advertising Design. He has illustrated more than eighty children's books. When not traveling, Accardo maintains studios in Brooklyn, NY and in the Delaware Valley of Pennsylvania. Visit him at www.anthonyaccardo.com.