Ruth Robbins is the author of Baboushka and the Three Kings and the illustrator of Wild Animals of the Far West and Stories California Indians Told. She lives with her husband, Herman Schein, and son, Steven, in Berkeley, California.

Nicolas Sidjakov began his art career in Switzerland and Paris. In 1955 he came to San Francisco where his reputation for outstanding design has grown steadily. Today he is recognized as one of America's leading young graphic artists. The Friendly Beasts, illustrated by Mr. Sidjakov, was selected as one of the ten best illustrated children's books, N. Y. Times 1957, and is included in the AIGA Children's Books 1955-1957. Mr. Sidjakov's award-winning work has been shown in the Art Directors Exhibitions of New York, Los Angeles, Detroit, and San Francisco. The artist lives with his wife and son in Sausalito, California.