Isabella Hatkoff began her career as an author at age six, when she and her father Craig became captivated by the story of Owen — an orphaned hippo swept away by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami — and Mzee, a 130-year-old tortoise who became his unlikely companion in Kenya. That fascination became Owen & Mzee, an international phenomenon and #1 New York Times bestseller. Isabella has since co-authored multiple books in the Turtle Pond Collection alongside her father and sister Juliana, bringing remarkable true animal stories to children and families worldwide.

Juliana Hatkoff is a children's book author and co-founder of Turtle Pond Publications. As Craig Hatkoff's daughter and Isabella's sister, Juliana joined the family's acclaimed tradition of wildlife storytelling — co-authoring the majority of the Turtle Pond Collection books, including Winter's Tail, Leo the Snow Leopard, Looking for Miza, Cecil's Pride, and many more. Her work continues to inspire young readers with stories of animal resilience, conservation, and connection.

Dr. Paula Kahumbu is a Kenyan wildlife conservationist, author, and CEO of WildlifeDirect. Holding a PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Princeton University, she was the wildlife manager at Haller Park in Kenya when Owen the hippo first arrived — a pivotal role that made her the on-the-ground co-author of Owen & Mzee and its sequels. A National Geographic Explorer, Rolex Award laureate, and Whitley Gold Award winner, Paula has dedicated her career to protecting Africa's wildlife and amplifying conservation stories that reach children and families around the world.