MARYANNE ODONNELL trained as a biochemist and has written and edited numerous publications in the field. She received her doctorate from Boston College. She believes the Bible is the underpinning of Western civilization and knowledge of its stories is an important component of education. Maryanne is the mother of six children and leads faith groups working on community outreach and social justice. BRIAN WILDSMITH was raised in a small mining village in Yorkshire, England, of which he once said, Everything was gray. There wasnt any color. It was all up to my imagination. During his lifetime, Brian created over two hundred picture books, some of which have been translated into more than thirty languages. A winner of hte Kate Greenaway Medal in 1962, Brian changed the way childrens books were illustrated. Faith was an important aspect of Brians life, especially knowledge of the Bible and respect for all religious traditions.