Who Did It First? Books

Jay Leslie graduated from Duke University with degrees in English, international comparative studies, and religion. After writing for Issa Rae Productions and being shortlisted for Chimamanda Adichie’s Farafina Trust, she co-authored a project on James Baldwin with Duke professor Dr. Adam Hollowell. She lives in Berlin, Germany.

Rob Sanders is a writer who teaches and a teacher who writes. Every day he goes to Mintz Elementary School in Brandon, Florida, to teach kids about books and words and reading and writing. Then he heads back home to write books for children. On weekends and holidays, you might find him hanging with his dog, Baxter; spending time at the beach with his great-nieces and -nephews; or talking with other children’s writers. Nothing makes his heart dance more than hearing boys and girls say, “Read it again!”

Megan Reid works in books and television. She’s lived in seven states and two countries (and gone to twelve schools!), but now she’s happy to be based in Brooklyn with her dog, Luna. This is her first book for children.

Caitlin Kuhwald received a BFA in Illustration from the California College of the Arts, and an MFA in painting from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine arts in Philadelphia. She returned to San Francisco after grad school to teach at her alma mater for nearly eight years. At CCA she taught illustration, drawing and watercolor, and she was also the Program Expert (Advising Liaison) for the illustration department. She now teaches illustration at the University of California, San Diego. Her illustrations appear in various magazines, books and other media. And her work has been recognized by American Illustration, The Society of Illustrators, Communication Arts and 3x3. Caitlin and her family of two moved to LA in 2014 and are happily living in the sunshine where they are now a family of three!

Nneka Myers has been known to paint worlds filled with color, texture, life, and diversity. Based in Toronto as a character designer and illustrator, her artwork can be found in TV animation, children’s books, comics, and social media illustrations. When she is not a busy bee, she can often be found looking for inspiration in vintage fashion, drinking tea with friends, or playing video games.

Levi Hastings is an illustrator who specializes in stories about the natural world and queer history. He has illustrated the picture books, Spirit of Springer: The Remarkable Story of an Orphaned Orca and Mayor Pete: The Story of Pete Buttigieg. He lives in Seattle, Washington.

Ebony Glenn is an illustrator and artist living on the quiet outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia. With an arts degree in drawing and painting from UNG, she aspires to bring stories to life with fanciful illustrations that are filled with whimsy and charm to provide rich literary experiences for readers.