The Writer
Christina Caragein, a proud mother of three (who have successfully navigated their way to
adulthood, phew!), has spent her life mastering the art of the multi-tasking superhero. For
decades, she's been the heart of the classroom, turning "I can't" into "I did"
for countless elementary students and making every lesson feel like an adventure. She lives by the
philosophy that a little gratitude and a lot of joy can make ordinary moments extraordinary.
Now, with her retirement compass pointing toward the horizon, Christina is trading her red
grading pens for a permanent place at the writer's desk. She's not just closing this book, she's
starting a brand-new chapter as a full-time author. Get ready for more heart, more humor, and
more of the captivating storytelling she's spent a lifetime perfecting.
The Illustrator
Francis Cleetus started drawing on walls at an early age. His Indian parents weren't thrilled,
hoping to see him in scrubs instead of overalls. He wasn't left-brained enough to be a doctor, so
he reluctantly got a degree in chemistry and started working at a tire factory. Just a year later,
he quit and returned to school to study design and copywriting.
He went on to work at ad agencies in India, Hong Kong, and the US, and win a mantle full of
creative awards. His parents weren't ecstatic this time around, either. Francis has created TV
spots for the PA Lottery, cartoons for the Pittsburgh Tech Council's magazine, murals for the
Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, and paintings for the Pittsburgh Arts Council. But he
still hasn't figured out why his wife and two daughters prefer mauve over lilac.