Learn about the family that created Josie…

About Kenny Bruno

Kenny has worked in the environmental movement for over 25 years, on issues ranging from toxic waste in local communities to international negotiations in the UN system. He is co-author of:: Greenwash: The Reality Behind Corporate Environmentalism, and EarthSummit.Biz: The Corporate Takeover of Sustainable Development. Kenny is the founder of two schools for indigenous leaders on human rights and environment. Josie’s “campaigns” are inspired by Kenny’s experience as an environmental activist.

About Antonia Bruno

Antonia is a Political Science major at SUNY Binghamton. She has won awards from the Brooklyn Poet Laureate, the CUNY N.Y.C. Annual Poetry Festival and the Random House Writing Competition. In High School, Antonia wrote with Girls Write Now, A New York City-based organization that works with aspiring young women writers. She has been the President of her campus chapter of DemocracyMatters. Antonia sets the tone of the Josie series and creates characters that elementary school kids can relate to.

About Beth Handman

Beth has been a teacher, educational consultant, curriculum specialist, staff developer and administrator for over 30 years. At her current school, she collaborates closely with Teachers College Reading and Writing Project at Columbia University. Beth has been a Lucretia Crocker Fellow for the state of Massachusetts and has consulted extensively for New Visions for Public Schools. As a supervisor of literacy and curriculum, Beth guides the pedagogical aspects of the Josie series.

About Janet Pedersen

Janet Pederson has illustrated many books for children, as well as authored a few herself. She is the author and illustrator of Houdini the Amazing Caterpillar (Clarion Books) and Millie in the Meadow (Candlewick Press). Janet lives with her family in Brooklyn, in a neighborhood a little like Josie’s.