Author/illustrator James Rice (1934-2004) produced sixty books, including the illustrations for Pelican's treasured The Night Before Christmas Series. Rice's first book, the well-loved classic Cajun Night Before Christmas®, has more than 750,000 copies in print. Young readers can enjoy more of Gaston®'s adventures in Gaston® Goes to Mardi Gras and sample Rice's other children's stories with favorites such as Texas Jack at the Alamo. With more than 1.5 million copies of his books in print, Rice ranks among the nation's best-selling creators of children's books, receiving awards from Printer Industries of America and the Children's Book Council, among others. Years after his death, Rice's family found the art and text Gaston® Joins the Circus, and this discovery has brought Gaston® back for one more adventure!


LAURIE LAZZARO KNOWLTON has authored more than 35 books. Her best-selling children's book Why Cowboys Sleep with Their Boots On won the Premier Print Award from Eastman Kodak. Art from another one of her picture books, Red, White, and Blue, has been displayed by the Robert L. and Posy Huebner Collection and was highlighted on Martha Stewart's radio station. An international speaker, Knowlton loves kicking back on her ranch, Roots 'n Wings.