About the Author

Katherine B. Shippen was born on April 1, 1892, and spent her life as a history teacher, museum curator and children's author. She died on February 20, 1980. During her career as an author, Shippen published 21 books won the Newbery Honor Award twice, one of which was for Men, Microscopes, and Living Things. Anthony Ravielli, a book illustrator and author, died on Jan. 9, 1997, at the age of 86. Mr. Ravielli began as a portrait painter before turning to illustration. He worked in advertising and did magazine covers. His illustrations appeared in more than 100 books, including ''The Relativity Explosion'' by Martin Gardner and ''Men, Microscopes and Living Things'' by Katherine B. Shippen. His own books for children include ''Elephants: The Last of the Land Giants'' and ''Wonders of the Human Body.''