Joanna Cole was born in Newark, New Jersey on August 11, 1944. She attended the University of Massachusetts, Indiana University, and City College of New York where she earned a degree in Psychology. Ms. Cole has worked as an elementary school teacher, a librarian, and a children's book editor. As a child, she loved science and explaining things and this is why she started writing children's books. She writes fiction and non-fiction titles. Her most well-known series are the Magic School Bus and the "Body." Cole's books have received a number of honors. A Horse's Body and A Snake's Body were both named Outstanding Science Trade Books for children by the joint committee of the National Science Teachers Association and the Children's Book Council. In 1982, A Snake's Body was named a Children's Choice Book by the joint committee of the International Reading Association and the Children's Book Council. Both A Cat's Body and A Bird's Body were Junior Literary Guild selections. In 1991, she was awarded the Washington Post/Children's Book Guild Nonfiction award. Joanna Cole, who wrote over 250 books for children, died on July 12, 2020 at the age of 75. 030 (Bowker Author Biography)

Stephanie Calmenson, a former early childhood teacher, children's book editor, and Editorial Director of Parents Magazine's Read-Aloud Book Club, is the award-winning author of over 100 children's books. Her work has been called "marvelous" (Publishers Weekly), "lyrical" (School Library Journal), "hilarious" (School Library Journal), "sweet, funny, and right on the mark" (Booklist) and includes such favorite books as Dinner at The Panda Palace, A PBS Storytime Book; The Principal's New Clothes and The Frog Principal (winner of the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal); Late for School!; and Ollie's School Day (a Children's Book-of-The- Month-Club selection). About dogs, she has written May I Pet Your Dog? The How-to Guide for Kids Meeting Dogs (and Dogs Meeting Kids), (a Horn Book Fanfare Book and ALA Children's Video Award Winner); Rosie a Visiting Dog's Story (featured in The New York Times) and, with long-time collaborator Joanna Cole (Creator of The Magic School Bus series) the Ready, Set, Dogs! series, starting with No Dogs Allowed!, Teacher's Pets and Hot Diggity Dogs! (Bowker Author Biography)