Champ and Me By the Maple Tree (Shankman & O'Neill)
Ed Shankman was born in the Bronx, New York, and lives today in Verona, New Jersey. As a creative director in the advertising industry, he has directed creative efforts for some of the world's best-known companies. Beyond the office, he has always spent his time chasing creative inspiration as a writer, guitar player, and painter. His first book, ""I Went to the Party in Kalamazoo,"" uses rhyme young readers to imagine the ultimate children's party. With illustrator Dave O'Neill, he has created four winning children's titles for Commonwealth Editions.Dave O'Neill made his published debut with The Boston Balloonies, alongside longtime friend and wordsmith Ed Shankman. Dave has worked as a graphic designer and illustrator since receiving his bachelor of fine arts (BFA) from William Paterson University in 2001. A native of Mount Olive, New Jersey, he now hangs his hat and sharpens his pencils in Montclair. Since Balloonies, he and Shankman have published three more children's titles with Commonwealth Editions.