Sheree Fitch's first two books, Toes in My Nose (1987) and Sleeping Dragons All Around (1989), launched her career as a poet, rhymster, and kind of Canadian female Dr. Seuss. Fitch has won almost every major award for Canadian children's literature since then, including the 2000 Vicky Metcalf Award for a Body of Work Inspirational to Canadian Children. She has over twenty-five books to her credit, including her bestselling and critically praised adult novel, Kiss the Joy As It Flies (2008). Sydney Smith is a NSCAD University graduate living in Toronto. Well-known for his artwork for local musicians, he is the illustrator of The Dread Crew, Mabel Murple, There Were Monkeys in My Kitchen, and Toes in My Nose. He is the recipient of many prestigous awards including the Lillian Shepherd Award for Excellence in Illustration, the Governor Generals Award and the Kate Greenaway Award.