Aaron Shepard has been fascinated by this story since childhood. He is the author of many folktales, including The Sea King's Daughter: A Russian Legend, The Baker's Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale, The Maiden of Northland: A Hero Tale of Finland, and most recently, The Princess Mouse: A Tale of Finland. He lives in the Los Angeles area.

Kristin Sorra has been drawing and painting for as long as she can remember. She is also the illustrator of The Three Billygoats Gruff and Mean Calypso Joe by Cathrene Valente Youngquist and currently lives in New York with her husband, a fellow artist. Kristin has no cats, but she does have a dog named Desi who purrs in his sleep.