About the authors

.Sue Milon grew up in Lake Forest, Illinois and was always in trouble for staying inside and reading instead of being outside playing. At the age of 15, she knew she wanted to be a children’s librarian and got her first job at the Lake Forest Public Library. After working as a bank teller, a secretary and a public relations librarian, Sue had “the best job ever” as an elementary and middle school librarian for 23 years in Runnemede, New Jersey. Sue lives up in the mountains in Prescott, Arizona with her husband, Dick, where they enjoy volunteering for various organizations. Sue and Dick have three grown children including Stephanie (the co-author) and eight amazing grandchildren, including Carley (the co-author), Stephanie’s daughter. Her beloved stuffed animal, Lavvy, has been all over the world with her and never dreamt she would be included in a book!

Carley Barton was born in Dallas, Texas. As a child she was always adventurous and had no fears. She’d be yelling, “I’m OK!” as she was falling to the ground after a stunt and would always get back up again. Now she is an active high school honors student in Phoenix, Arizona. Her hobbies include photography, playing guitar, and taking care of her bearded dragon, Leo. Carley’s an avid runner and her love of track inspired the ending to this book!

Stephanie Barton spent her childhood years in southern New Jersey enjoying the sights of Philadelphia and the boardwalks and beaches at the Jersey Shore. She went on to college at Arizona State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and met her husband Jason. After a move to Texas early in their marriage, Stephanie found herself caught in a terrifying Texas thunderstorm with her young daughter. The storm became the inspiration for “Above the Clouds: What Really Happens in Heaven During a Thunderstorm.”

Writing “Above the Clouds” has been a unique adventure. However, in her “real life,” Stephanie has two passions: being a mom to two wonderful children and working as an exercise physiologist. She gets tremendous joy helping individuals with heart and lung disease build their confidence and improve their quality of life. In her very spare time, she enjoys traveling, exercising and playing games with her family. She is the reigning champion of Candyland in her household! Stephanie, Jason, Carley, and Reece now reside in sunny and hot Phoenix, Arizona, thankful to be over 1000 miles away from any Texas thunderstorm!

Kelly Mengarelli is an American artist and illustrator who illustrated Princess Pippa and the Crown of Kindness. Ever since childhood, she has had a passion for art, creativity, and imagination.  Kelly graduated from Northern Arizona University, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Entrepreneurship, and turned her dreams of becoming a full time artist into a reality.   As a self taught artist with no formal training, Kelly has the natural ability to make imagination come to life in the most whimsical way.  She loves to add hidden details into every page so that story time becomes a more magical and interactive experience. Kelly’s inspiration comes from color, beauty, fashion, and design.  Her nickname, “The Artsy Blonde”, most well suits her for her creative and fun personality.  Kelly lives in Arizona with her husband, where they both enjoy the outdoors, desert landscape, and spending time with family.