Tummies Flip, Hearts Skip

Kris Downing is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and somatic experiencing practitioner (SEP) currently working as a mental health therapist with children and adults. In her playful work with kids, she finds creative ways to nurture social and emotional development and help connect kids to their own nervous systems. She created the Sensation Game to help child therapists and school counselors integrate somatic work into their counseling programs. A collector of children's mental health books, Kris fulfilled her dream of writing a book that promotes body awareness and healing. Kris is the adoptive mom of two wonderful neurodivergent sons. She is also a pet momma to two Aussiedoodles, Grace and Ozzie. She lives in Austin, Texas, and loves hiking, camping, and playing all kinds of games with kids.

Vivian Mineker is a Taiwanese American illustrator. She loves to create images that bring her daydreams to life. She creates characters and worlds that reflect both her imagination and her observations of the real world. She uses mainly watercolor and gouache, then puts on the finishing touches digitally. When not drawing or painting, she enjoys running outdoors with her dog, Darlie; browsing in bookstores, and occasionally stopping for a cup of coffee or a piece of cake.