Alan Alexander Milne (pronounced /ˈmɪln/) (18 January 1882 – 31 January 1956) was an English author, best known for his books about the teddy bear Winnie-the-Pooh and for various children's poems. Milne was a noted writer, primarily as a playwright, before the huge success of Pooh overshadowed all his previous work.

Marianna Mayer is a well-known children’s book writer and artist from Roxbury, Connecticut. Her early education was in the field of the visual arts. Her first book was published when she was nineteen years old. After graduating from college, she became a student painter at the Art Students League in New York City. She was the author of Baba Yaga and Vasilisa, the Brave and her written versions of Pegasus, and The Twelve Dancing Princesses.[1] She was the first wife of the famous illustrator, Mercer Mayer.

Generations of children have been fascinated by the story of the girl named Beauty who grows to love a fearsome beast. This acclaimed best-seller, first published in 1978, transports readers into a world of pure magic and mystery.