Samir Mardini, MD, is a distinguished surgeon and Professor of Surgery at Mayo Clinic, specializing in craniofacial surgery and facial reconstruction in children and adults. With over 185 peer-reviewed articles and three books published, his expertise in craniomaxillofacial surgery is globally recognized. As Director of the Craniofacial Clinic and Facial Paralysis and Reanimation Clinic as well as Surgical Director of Face Transplantation, Samir's dedication to helping children with facial clefts and differences extends worldwide, creating lasting transformations and restoring optimal function and aesthetics. He's based in Rochester, MN.

Violet Tobacco is an illustrator based in Atlanta, Georgia. She studied theater in college but gravitated toward other mediums of art before graduating. Always a storyteller with an affinity for whimsy, humor, and a well-delivered moral, she is most fond of illustration as a means of expression. She enjoys working with other creative individuals to build stories that help us better understand who we are.