Rusty and Emma's Big Shock! (Paperback or Softback)

Annie Wilde was born in London, England. As a young girl she relocated with her family to the wilds of the Suffolk countryside. At just sweet sixteen, she moved back to the big city to train as a hairdresser. It was the Swinging Sixties, and she was slap bang in the middle of all the excitement. Since then, Annie's life has been full of twists and turns, back roads, main roads, highways andjunctions...all eventually leading to retirement on the Italian island of Sicily.Upon sorting through a lifetime of memorabilia stored in her garage, she stumbled upon a box of and drawings that were from a time of bedtime storytelling with her children and grandchildren. So, with time on her hands she decided to develop some of the characters and create her first book!This labor of love has been realized with the help of her family and friends to whom she is eternally grateful. Her plan did not include becoming an author at the age of 73, but since embarking on this new journey, she has re-discovered her vivid imagination and is full of excitement about bringing the adventures of Emma Puff and all the other characters to life. With such a wealth of life experiences behind her to draw upon, there are no limits to the adventures that lie ahead. She hopes that children and adults alike can connect with the stories and bond with the characters that prove age is just a number and inside we are all still young at heart. Now, when she isn't tapping away on her computer, Annie enjoys and takes inspiration from the beautiful Sicilian sunshine and hanging out with people of all ages and from all walks of life.

Beebe Hargrove grew up in the middle of a spinach field in King City, California. Surrounded by a lot of pets, gusty winds, some decent books, and parents who let her paint on her bedroom walls, she decided to study Illustration at Cal State Fullerton. Her professional work features a variety of projects and styles. She has designed t-shirts, architectural illustrations, and several seasons of fine and fashion jewelry. She is proud of a series of murals she created collaboratively with her hometown and the non-profit King City In Bloom. Placed throughout the city on local businesses they tell the story of the town's inception and the people who planted its seeds. There is nothing better than standing on a high scaffold, with a view of open farmland, drenched in sunshine, the wind whipping through your hair and doing its best to upend your paint pan. The supportive community and local creatives were a joy to work with. Beebe has always loved fantastic stories and working on "Emma Puff" has been a dream and the greatest privilege. Author Annie Wilde's sense of big color, mess and fun has been a perfect fit for Beebe's love of strong lines and splashing paint. She currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her family and two precocious cats, surrounded now by extremely tall trees instead of spinach and even larger piles of books. She loves reading, exploring, and supporting the arts wherever she finds it. She is grateful for Annie, Lucid House and all you readers who make her current messes possible.