Gail Saunders-Smith is an assistant education professor at Youngstown State University in Ohio. She is also an independent staff developer, writer, and editor. She presents nationally at conferences on literacy development and instruction and has written numerous articles, children's non-fiction books, and professional resources. Gail holds a B.S. and M.A. in Early Childhood Education from Kent State University and a M.S. in Administration and Supervision from Youngstown State University. She completed post-graduate work at The Ohio State University and earned a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from The University of Akron. Gail is a former classroom teacher, Reading Recovery Teacher Leader, and Reading/Language Arts K-12 Supervisor and Coordinator of State and Federal Programs for the Summit County ESC.
Having been involved in education at many different levels, Mary Dunn knows the importance of reading and has written more than twenty nonfiction children’s books about dream jobs, planets, and a wide assortment of creatures with fins, fur, or feathers. When she is not busy at her computer, Mary enjoys volunteering, reading and traveling to new places to learn about fascinating animals and their habitats. Big Sur, California and Sanibel Island, Florida are two of her favorite spots to observe wildlife. Mary lives in northern Illinois with her husband, Michael.
