Adam Ciccio was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He moved to Savannah, Georgia, at the age of twelve and attended St. Andrew’s Preparatory School in Wilmington Island, Georgia. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of New Hampshire (Durham, NH) in 2006 and with a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling at Salem State University (Salem, MA) in 2012. Adam owns eight mental health practices that serve both children and adults in Eastern Massachusetts. In addition to his role as President and Owner of Ciccio Counseling Centers, he teaches graduate school in the Mental Health Counseling Department at his alma mater, Salem State University. Adam Ciccio is the author of 18 children’s books, many of his stories themed around cognitive wellness and self-confidence during social-emotional developmental stages.

Barbara Bongini was born in Milan, Italy. From an early age, she knew she wanted to be an artist. She attended an arts high school and later studied illustration at the European Institute of Design. After graduation, she pursued a career in children’s publishing, illustrating books for U.S. and Italian publishing houses. She also has experience in advertising, animation, interactive book design, and has even created an album on modern art for children. When she isn’t busy illustrating, Barbara loves spending time with her two kids, going to bookstores, and building her own illustrated books library.