John Barstow Paterson (1932 - 2013) and John B. Paterson, Jr., father-and-son authors, based this story on their own 1970s trip to Caracas, where they rode the very teleférico featured in the book. John Sr. also collaborated with his wife, Newbery Award-winning author Katherine Paterson, on The Flint Heart, as well as Consider the Lilies, Images of God,and Blueberries for the Queen. John Jr. lives in New Canaan, Connecticut.

Renato Alarcao has illustrated many children’s books, including Red Ridin’ in the Hood and Other Cuentos by Patricia Santos Marcantonio. He lives in Brazil.