About the Author

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Mk Smith Despres is the author of the First Friends board book series, as well as Night Song and There's That Sun Again, and was named a 2024 Green Box Artist in Residence. Mk has worked as an educator for over 15 years with kids and adults with disabilities. They write, teach, and read lots of books with their family in western Massachusetts, USA. MkSmithDespres.com Aya Watanabe is a Japanese illustrator who loves to explore imaginary worlds and to express her inner child through art. Creating fun content for kids is her passion. She lives and works in Tokyo, Japan, with her pet caterpillars. aw-illustrations.com