Mars' First Friends

Susanna is an award winning children’s author who has authored 15 children’s books with 10 more forthcoming over the next two years. She was born in New York City and attended Brearley School, then graduated with a degree in English and Psychology from Middlebury College. Later she received her M.A. and M.Ed. from Columbia University. She spent many years teaching dyslexic students, and she has been writing stories ever since the second grade, when she wrote her first story, The Girl and The Witch. Her books have earned awards including New York Times Bestseller, Junior Library Guild Selection, Amelia Bloomer Project Feminist Books For Youth, Booklist Children’s Pick, Children’s Book of the Month, Parents Magazine #1 Board Book 2017, and Gold Mom’s Choice Award. In addition to authoring children’s books, she is a mother to five, a teacher, and a lecturer.

Elisa Paganelli was born in Modena, Italy, and since childhood has considered books to be her best friends. After a career in advertising and as an entrepreneur, she now works as an illustrator, often accompanied by her beloved pets. Elisa’s award-winning books include The Highland Falcon Thief (named a Waterstones Book of the Month), The House with Chicken Legs, and Moon’s First Friends. Her aim is to be involved in sustainable projects, and she feels most at home when she’s out in the natural world. On her bedside table one will find a pile of psychology books, and very often one of her cats. Elisa now lives in the United Kingdom.