About the Author

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Hank Thornhill is a husband and soon-to-be father as well as the author of Friends of the Great Outdoors. With over a decade of experience writing creative briefs and visionary presentations, Hank hopes his optimistic voice shines through in his latest book, which aims to inspire us all to get outside--to look, listen, and explore the natural world with curiosity. Parents and caregivers be warned--Kirkus Media writes: "Thornhill delivers an inspiring story that may cause youngsters to ask their caregivers to hurry up and book an outdoor camping trip." As a native to Virginia, Hank has extensive experience exploring the deciduous forest and volunteers as a tree steward to help maintain his hometown's urban canopy. Hank would love to write more books and take Friends of the Great Outdoors to habitats and ecosystems across the globe! He just has to come back inside first. Stephen Stone, known by most as Steve, was born in the northeast of England where they are known affectionately as Sandancers. His creative career began after he completed a degree in fashion design and started working as a designer for children's and corporate wear companies. After a while, Steve took another direction and became a university lecturer for twelve years, teaching fashion design and visual communication to post- and undergraduate students. During this time, he completed a master's degree in visual communication, specializing in children's book illustration. Today, he works full time as a freelance illustrator commissioned by some of the world's leading publishers. Steve currently resides and works in Derbyshire with his soulmate, Claire.