Leslie Johnson Piotrowski is a biracial author with a passion for representation and sharing her own heritage through literature. The Northbound Train is based partially on her grandfather's journey as part of the Great Migration. Piotrowski has served in the Peace Corps and traveled to over 25 countries. She lives in the northern suburbs of Chicago with her husband. This is her debut picture book. Tonya Engel is a self-taught artist, influenced by folk artists of the Deep South as well as fine artists such as Marc Chagall, Frida Kahlo, and Romare Bearden. Her bold style is figurative, textured, colorful, and ripe with symbolism. Engel also illustrated Your Legacy: A Bold Reclaiming of Our Enslaved History by Schele Williams, which received four starred reviews, including from the School Library Journal: "Each page spread is a piece of artwork worthy of a museum." Engel lives in Austin, Texas.