The Lute Player: A Tale from Russia

Suzanne I. Barchers, Ed.D., began a career in writing and publishing after fifteen years as a teacher. She has written over 100 children's books, two college textbooks, and more than 20 reader's theater and teacher resource books. She previously held editorial roles at Weekly Reader and LeapFrog and is on the PBS Kids Media Advisory Board for the next generation of children's programming. Suzanne also plays the flute professionally—and for fun—from her home in Stanford, California. Suzanne is the author of Problem Solved! Readers and can be found online at www.suzannebarchers.com.

Viktor Sluzhaev, named one of the 200 best young illustrators of Russia, was born in Lgov in the Kursk region. He studied art in Dimitrovgrad and spent several years selling children's illustrated literature. His time selling books led Viktor back to his passion: illustrating fairy tales, folk tales, and fables for young readers.