SPHDZ 4 Life

Multiple award-winning author Jon Scieszka grew up in Flint, Michigan, the second oldest and the nicest of six boys. Jon went to school at Culver Military Academy in Indiana where he was a Lieutenant; Albion College in Michigan where he studied to be a doctor; and Columbia University in New York, where he received an M.F.A. in fiction. He taught elementary school in New York for ten years in a variety of positions. He is the author of many boks for children including the New York Times Best Illustrated Book The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales (illustrated by Lane Smith), the Caldecott Honor book The True Story of the Three Little Pigs (illustrated by Lane Smith), and Math Curse (illustrated by Lane Smith). In addition to his work as an author, Jon also runs a web-based literacy program called “Guys Read” that is designed to encourage boys, particularly reluctant readers, to get involved with books. In 2008, Jon was named the country’s first National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, a joint effort of the Library of Congress and the Children’s Book Council. During his two-year role as Ambassador, he acted as a spokesperson for children’s literature, speaking to groups of parents, teachers, and children to encourage the importance of reading. You can visit Jon online at www. jsworldwide.com.

Shane Prigmore is an accomplished professional in the animation, film, and children’s book industries. A two-time Annie Award winner for his design of LAIKA’s Coraline, and Dreamworks’ The Croods, Shane has also contributed his talents to such projects as: The LEGO Movie, The Boxtrolls, How to Train Your Dragon, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends, The Iron Giant, and the Spaceheadz book series. Shane currently acts as the Vice President of Creative Affairs at Disney Television Animation, and resides in Los Angeles, California, with his wife and two children.