Toby the Dog

About Debbi Michiko Florence

Debbi Michiko Florence writes books for children in her writing studio The Word Nest. She is an animal lover with a degree in Zoology and has worked at a pet store the Humane Society a raptor rehabilitation center and a zoo. She is the author of two chapter-book series: Jasmine Toguchi (FSG) and Dorothy & Toto (Picture Window Books). A third-generation Japanese American and a native Californian Debbi now lives in Connecticut with her husband a rescue dog a bunny and two ducks. Melanie is an American artist born and raised in Plymouth Michigan. She has been drawing since she was a little girl. Back then her favorite canvas was pavement and her go to medium was sidewalk chalk. Nowadays Melanie likes create artwork digitally but also enjoys using watercolor markers colored pencils and acrylic paint. Oh and sometimes a pinch of glitter too!  Melanie is a 2013 graduate of the College for Creative Studies in Detroit Michigan where she earned a BFA in Illustration. The Michigan-native has since relocated to Los Angeles California to pursue a career in illustration and design.