Art imitates life.

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Amanda Perlyn Jackson lives in Chicago, IL with her husband, Alex, and two children, Bennett and Sawyer, who are the inspiration for this book.  A passionate world traveler and marketing executive within the hospitality industry, Amanda has always enjoyed the opportunity to connect with  communities around the world. Through playful rhymes and illustrations , Amanda brings to life an imaginative way for children and parents to focus on joy and connecting with others, even if we can’t see them in person or share a real hug. 

Amanda's first book of illustrations, The Biggest and Brightest Light, was created over 22 years ago,  featuring her own personal story as a child and the "magic of helping others".

Bennett Ryder Jackson,  2 1/2 years old, lives in Chicago, IL with his parents and  baby brother. He  enjoys coloring, singing, dancing, playing with trucks, and hanging out with his stuffed dog "Bingo".  He particularly loves to ride trains and fly on planes and looks forward to traveling again in the future. Especially to visit his grandparents. Bennett is always up for a new adventure, discovery, and opportunity to  meet new friends.

Sawyer Kai Jackson, 11 months old, enjoys following around his big brother, crawling, babbling, teething, clean diapers, and a nice warm bottle of milk. He is a good sport and always along for the ride!