Michele Erickson is an experienced educator in early childhood and elementary education. She received her BA in education, and an early childhood degree from the Association Montessori Internationale.She worked as a Montessori young children's directress in Illinois. Michele continues her career in St. Johns County, Florida, where she has been teaching for more than twenty years. She is currently a third-grade teacher in St. Augustine, where she has been recognized as Teacher of the Year.Michele has been writing children's literature since she was in college. Inspired by her students, she decided to write her first book for publication, The Treasured Tree, with a message that children can take with them throughout their lives.Michele has enjoyed working with her mother, accomplished artist Priscilla Humay, on The Treasured Tree and their second book, Wacky Words.Learn more at mushkins.com. Priscilla Humay creates in acrylic, colored pencil, and graphite. She received her BFA and MS in Chicago and did postgraduate studies in Prague.She exhibits nationally, gaining awards, and earned Signature Status with the Colored Pencil Society of America. She was awarded twice as artist in residence at the Big Cypress National Preserve. Her art is in private and corporate collections worldwide, as well as featured in books and other publications.Ms. Humay was a drawing professor at the College of Lake County, in Illinois; certificate program instructor at the Chicago Botanic Garden, Illinois; and visiting artist instructor for the Morton Arboretum, Illinois. She currently teaches art classes at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center through the University of Texas.The Treasured Tree was the first children's book she illustrated in collaboration with her daughter, Michele Erickson, and it earned the DKG International Texas In Print Award of 2020.Learn more at humayfineart.com.