Mingma, our visionary founder, was born to a humble family outside the village of Melemchi, in the Helambu Valley, Nepal. In 1971 Mingma met anthropologist Naomi Bishop and her filmmaker husband John Bishop, and began to study the lives of other primates.

(Photo by John Bishop)

Alan Venable was born to a humble family in Pennsylvania. His previous children’s books include The Checker Players and Hurry the Crossing. He has also written many books for students with reading disabilities. He lives with his wife Gail in San Francisco. Their daughter Noe sings. Their son Morgan invents stuff.

Natalie Lewellyn was born to a humble family somewhere between San Francisco and Baton Rouge, but now she hangs out with her husband Eric in Madison, Wisconsin.

Laurie Marshall was born to another humble Pittsburgh family. She paints, writes, and educates. In 2007, her 3rd grade class at Novato Charter School staged the first dramatic production of Take Me With You When You Go. See more of her art, life and work at soulemporium.com.