Michael Burgan has written numerous books for children and young adults during his nearly 20 years as a freelance writer. Many of his books have focused on U.S. history, geography, and the lives of world leaders. Michael has won several awards for his writing, and his graphic novel version of the classic tale Frankenstein (Stone Arch Books) was a Junior Library Guild selection. Michael graduated from the University of Connecticut with a bachelor's degree in history. He lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with his cat, Callie. Eldon's first career was as a Seattle policeman, from which he gleaned a collection of vintage mug shots that have inspired many of his more outrageous characters. Following a lifelong love of drawing, he quit his police work and enrolled in the San Francisco Academy of Art. From there, his original line-and-wash cartoons have now evolved into computer-generated illustration using Fractal Painter and Photoshop. Step-by-Step Electronic Design featured his procedure for creating richly detailed mock-historic portraits. He and his wife Sally live in northern California, and he still loves to ride his motorcycle whenever he can.