Mary Wissinger, author of Women Chemistry and the My First Science Textbook series, was born in Wisconsin where she spent most of her childhood singing, reading, and daydreaming. She dove into storytelling through acting, singing, and writing (and writing and writing!). A former teacher, she can now be found at her standing desk in St. Louis, MO, writing stories that inspire curiosity about the world and connection with others. To learn more about Mary, you can check out her website, MaryWissinger.com. Catherine Payne, author of Mole and Tell, worked as a journalist after earning master's degrees from Harvard and Columbia Universities. After returning to her native Guam, she became an English instructor and tutor. Catherine especially loves writing books that transport children to happy places. The inspiration she draws from Pacific cultures helps her appreciate the interconnectedness of all things. When John Payne II, Catherine's brother and co-author of Mole and Tell, discovered superhero comic books, it sparked a lifelong love of reading that led to an interest in speech and language. After pursuing degrees at San Jose State University and the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, John now works with kids as a speech clinician in Guam.
