Candace Fleming spent two years researching this book ? from spending time in archives and libraries to learning how to play a steam calliope, riding an elephant, winning (and wearing) a red rubber nose at the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey circus when it came to Chicago, and even walking the tightrope (two feet off the ground) at Ringling Brothers? former winter quarters in Baraboo, Wisconsin. Robert Andrew Parker has illustrated more than seventy books for children, including THE HATMAKER'S SIGHN (Orchard Books) and, most recently, SLEDS ON BOSTON COMMON (Simon & Schuster). His POP CORN AND MA GOODNESS was a Caldecott Honor Book. Mr. Parker lives in West Cornwall, Connecticut.