About The Author
Despite my family’s oral storytelling tradition, I had not planned on writing a children’s book, or any book, ever! Yet it happened, without prior notice, and on the topic of safe street crossing rules, no less.
The narrative was inspired by both fiction and facts. Here are the facts:
- My father, Sam, was a bus driver.
- He was the one to come up with the imaginary kitten characters, Ooli & Tooli, during our bedtime storytelling.
- Thankfully, my family did not experience the type of potentially life-changing, traffic-related incident that this book seeks to prevent.
When the first draft was finished at the break of dawn after that cold winter night, I was still in the dark regarding the journey I was about to embark on.
About The Illustrator
Joe Hox was born with a spade in one hand and a pencil in the other. He was raised on an Iowa farm where he spent his days vanquishing thistles and sketching critters. Everyone knew by his crooked hay rows he’d choose art over farming. And, sure enough, these days Joe works in town as an illustrator and artist.
Joe has illustrated over 30 books including Mooses with Bazookas and a 20th anniversary edition of the Wilderking Trilogy. He also worked as the colorist for a graphic novel adaptation of Watership Down. When he’s not in the studio, you are likely to find Joe sneakily sketching at some school event for one of his four kids. He is married to author Kate Hox and they love to collaborate on work and life.