As an early and middle childhood educator, Linda Stanek wants to inspire young learners, including children with written language disabilities, to write about things that excite them. Her own passion for saving endangered animals and teaching children about the importance of each link in the natural world provide the inspiration for Cheetah Dreams. Linda has also written Night Creepers, Once Upon an Elephant, The Pig and Miss Prudence and Beco's Big Year: A Baby Elephant Turns One. Linda has two grown sons and lives in Ohio with her husband and feline family members. Shennen Bersani is an award-winning illustrator with 2 million copies of her books cherished and read by children, parents, and teachers throughout the world. Her art delivers heartfelt emotion, the wonders of nature and science, and creates a unique joy for learning. Some of Shennen's other illustrated works include A Case of Sense, Animal Partners; Sea Slime: Itâ (TM)s Eeuwy, Gooey and Under the Sea; Shark Baby; Home in the Cave; Astro: The Steller Sea Lion; The Glaciers are Melting!, and Once Upon an Elephant, for Arbordale. She is also the author and illustrator of Achoo! Why Pollen Counts. Shennen lives near Boston. Visit her website at www.shennenbersani.com.