Many people generously offered their skills and time in the creation of Beast Rider. We would like to thank Ashley Johnston, Bernice Yeung, Carmen Rodriguez, Armida Garaygordobil, and Armando Colina of Galería Arvil, S.A., who have improved the story in all stages. Throughout the process, Ashley facilitated the exchange of documents between writers and publisher. Thanks, too, to Duncan Tonatiuh, author of Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote, for sharing his deep knowledge of The Beast. Our gratitude goes to Ingeniero Francisco Gorostiza Perez of Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México (the Mexican national railroad) for his expert input on the history of The Beast, route changes, and other details about Mexican railroad operations. To James P. Folsom, Director of the Gardens, the Huntington, San Marino, California, for sharing his formidable knowledge about plants, particularly those of the region of Oaxaca where the story begins. To Danielle Rudeen, assistant to James Folsom, a gracious and tireless link between us and our information sources in Oaxaca. To S. Gomez for having the courage to relate firsthand experiences at the U.S. border. To Yolanda Castrellón for her efforts in connecting us with those who assist Beast Riders. To Lorenzo Perez for his excellent translations. To María Fierro O’Campo and Tey O’Campo of Kidsland, Berkeley, California, magnificent teachers, who supplied us with the memorable “Lesson of the Octopus.” To agent Susan Cohen of Writers House, Inc., for keeping our spirits up when things got tough. And to her capable assistant, Nora Long. To editor Howard Reeves, at Abrams, for his careful readings and insightful questions, always offered with a light touch. To Emily Daluga, Howard’s assistant, who kept us on schedule in her graceful way. To Edel Rodriguez and Hana Anouk Nakamura for creating the stunning jacket and internal graphics. To Marie Oishi for her eagle eye to detail. To Diane Aronson for her careful copyediting. To Tamara Arellano for her painstaking proofreading. To Ana Paula Margain de Rhoads, founder and head of REEDUCA, an NGO dedicated to environmental education projects with schools. Her stories from personal experience as a volunteer at shelters for Beast Riders have been of great value.
Three contributors to the Beast Rider project cannot be thanked enough. The Lunch Bunch, the band of writers to which Tony Johnston belongs includes: Eve Bunting, Jennifer Johnston, Lael Littke, Jane Olson, Luisa Perkins, Susan Goldman Rubin, and Martha Tolles. Without the guidance, dedication, and expert critiquing of this group throughout the writing process, the final result would have been weakened. Jennifer Johnston, architect and engineer, born and raised in Mexico, used her sharp organizational skills, her relentless demand for accuracy, and her natural writing ability to keep us on track. And Dr. Alejandro de Ávila Blomberg, Advisor and Curator of the Textile Museum of Oaxaca and originator and Director of the Botanical Gardens of Oaxaca, gave generously of his remarkable energy and spirit and of his awe-inspiring knowledge in countless areas. His scholarly input on all levels greatly enhanced this story.