Twig C. George was inspired to write Swimming with Sharks after she spent time studying and swimming with sharks in the Bahamas. She is also the author of A Dolphin Named Bob, illustrated by Christine Herman Merrill. She lives in Maryland. Twig C. George spent hours observing dolphins and collecting stories at the Natioanl Aquarium in Baltimore. She is the daughter of Jean Craighead George, and this is her first book for children. Ms. George lives in Cockeysville, MD. Christine Herman Merrill is one of America's foremost animal portrait painters. She has also illustrated Animals Who Have Won Our Hearts and There's an Owl in the Shower, both by Jean Craighead George. Ms. Merrill lives in Baltimore, MD.