Despite the disapproval of his parents and his formidable science teacher, nine-year-old Allen determines to do his science project on human photosynthesis.

John Reynolds Gardiner wrote a number of books for children, including Stone Fox and General Butterfingers. He was also an engineer by profession. A native of Los Angeles, he lived in West Germany, Central America, and Idaho, before settling back down in California with his wife and daughters. He passed away in 2006.

Marc Simont illustrated more than a hundred children's books including the Caldecott Medal Winner A Tree is Nice. He also received a Caldecott Honor and worked with authors including Marjorie Weinman Sharmat (on the Nate the Great series) and Margaret Wise Brown. Simont and his wife lived in West Cornwall, Connecticut before his passing in 2013.