Kazue Takahashi made her debut as a picture-book author with acclaimed Kuma-Kuma Chan, The Little Bear in 2001. Her picture books include Risu denwa (The Squirrel Telephone System) and Ne, ohanashi kikasete (Read Me a Story, with Kyoko Hara). Takahashi's illustrations embody kawaii--the quality of being cute and adorable, which is prominent in Japanese popular culture. Kyoko Hara was born in Tokyo and graduated from Wako University with a degree in art. In 1978 she won the Kodansha Children's Literature Prize in the KFS Contest. Among her many titles are Haru ni aeta yo (We Met Spring)and Kuma no Bear to chiisana Tatan (Kuma the Bear and Tiny Tatan) series. When she was a child, she wanted to become a fashion designer and did not like writing at all.