AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR BIOS

Justine Danielle Del Monte -Author

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Justine Danielle Del Monte, is currently a senior at Vanderbilt University.  She is passionate about climate justice and wrote a story that helped children learn about ways they can help the environment.
At age eleven, Justine authored, "Drew's Dancing Drum," a rhythmic children's tale promoting messages of anti-bullying.  She continued Drew's adventures, navigating through hardships and friendships through, "Drew Meets Boo," and "Drew and the Cyber Bully."  Later, she focused on animal advocacy in "Drew and Boo Adopt Lou and Sue," and the importance in "Drew Moves," and "Drew Learns about Autism."  Her most recent stories centered on environmental activism, include, "Drew and Boo Love Nature Too!" and "Drew and Boo Clean the Ocean."

Brandon King Chappell -Illustrator

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Brandon King Chappell,
Illustrator, spends hours researching to bring the colorful, beloved, and unforgettable characters to life.  He is an Award-Winning Illustrator, App Creator, and Director.  His animated short films and Apps have won numerous awards.  "Drew's Dancing Drum," the Animated Short Film was awarded first place in the North Bay Art & Film Festival in 2017 and Best Animation at the prestigious Christian Life International Film Festival in Ontario Canada in 2018.  Brandon's Apps have been downloaded in over 100 countries and continues to thrive internationally.  Brandon and Justine have been keynote speakers nationally and have been featured in magazines, newspapers, and six of Brandon's animated stories continue to run on Public Radio Stations during their Children's Programming.  


His favorite quotes are:
"People are more important than the project."
-Brandon Chappell

"If you can DREAM IT you can DO IT."  
-Walt Disney

“Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” 
-Thomas Edison

"If you want to go fast, go alone.  If you want to go far, go together."  
-African Proverb