Margriet Ruurs is the author of more than thirty books for children, including Families Around the World, School Days Around the World and Birthdays Around the World. A regular guest speaker at international schools, she often writes about the real children she meets on her travels. Margriet lives with her family on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia.

Canadian painter Robert Bateman has been featured in exhibits across the globe, opening a permanent exhibition at The Robert Bateman Centre, in Victoria, B.C., in 2013. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1984 and a Member of the Order of British Columbia in 2001. In 2013, he was awarded the Royal Canadian Geographical Society Gold Medal in recognition for his commitment to preserving the Canadian landscape. Bateman’s notable achievements include being named one of the twentieth century’s 100 Champions of Conservation by the U.S. National Audubon Society in 1998 and bestowed the Amnesty International Human Rights Defender Award in 2007. A beloved teacher, avid geographer, and renowned naturalist celebrated for his accessible realist style, Bateman is a Life Member of the Royal Canadian Academy of the Arts. He is the bestselling author of fourteen books, including his memoir Life Sketches. He continues to paint and lives with his artist wife, Birgit, in Salt Spring Island, British Columbia. Visit BatemanCentre.org for more information on Bateman and his art.

Christian Down is a producer, musician and voice actor from Victoria, British Columbia.