Maxinne Rhea Leighton

Maxinne Rhea Leighton is a child of immigrants whose family emigrated from Poland to America through Ellis Island. Krysia's story was inspired by their journey and while it focuses on a specific time in our history of immigration, their story of uncertainty and longing for freedom and a better life is a timeless one.

Dennis Nolan is the author and illustrator of the bestselling Dinosaur Dream. He is also the illustrator of many award-winning books including The Sword in the Stone, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and The Skywriter, the latter for Roaring Brook Press. He lives in Massachusetts.