BECKY CHAVARRA-CHIREZ, a publicist and freelance journalist, is the head of Catchphrases Public & Media Relations in Dallas. Already frantic as the mother of two young children, she is also busy writing down the further adventures of Magda Madrigal. ANNE VEGA works as an artist and illustrator in Nashville, Tennessee, where lives with her husband Robert (also an artist) and two children. She studied at the Columbus School of Art and Design in Ohio and at the Academy of Art in San Francisco. Her work has graced numerous book covers, and MagdaÍs Tortillas is her first book for children. JULIA MERCEDES CASTILLA writes for children and adults. Her novel, Aventuras de un NiÐo de la Calle, published by Editorial Norma in Spanish, has sold over 125.000 copies and has become required reading in some schools in Latin America. The book was published as Emilio in Spanish. At the present time she is at work, finishing an adult book and writing a book for middle grade children.