B Is for Belonging

Shannon Anderson is an award-winning children's book author, TEDx speaker, and national presenter. She loves to do author visits to teach the power of reading, writing, and learning with a growth mindset. Shannon taught for 25 years from first grade through college level, where she wore the hats of literacy coach, gifted coordinator, and adjunct professor. She lives in Indiana. You can learn more about her and her books at www.shannonisteaching.com. John Joven is an illustrator and a painter from Colombia. He lives there with his wife, Ana, and two children, Avril and Ian. He is fortunate enough to work in his home studio, where he can share his passion for drawing and painting with his children while working on projects. He started drawing at an early age and when he was six years old his parents enrolled him in his first painting, sculpture, and character design class. When not illustrating, he enjoys spending time with his family, playing soccer with friends, watching movies, reading, writing, and traveling. He has had the opportunity to bring to life characters, scenes, and diverse worlds in magazines and newspapers; funny ideas in children's books; and animation projects around the globe.