Joelle McDonald, author of Rafi Feels Different, loves to create and to do hard things. Beyond creating her debut book, she likes to make music, crafts, and inventions. Some of the hard things Joelle has done include being a Division I distance runner for the CU Boulder Buffaloes and earning a black belt in Muay Thai. She also loves to make memories by traveling around the world. Joelle is proud to come from a long line of Coloradans, the state where she too was born and raised. Her greatest purpose is to push herself and others to grow into the most open-minded and adventurous version of themselves.O'Rourke, Esme: - Esme O'Rourke is an illustrator, graphic designer, and multimedia artist who grew up in Longmont, Colorado. She graduated in 2020 from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, with a Bachelor's degree in Studio Art and Graphic Design. Rafi Feels Different is Esme's debut children's book, marking a significant milestone in her creative career. Known for blending vibrant, expressive illustrations with heartfelt storytelling, Esme brings Rafi's emotional journey to life with warmth and sensitivity.Drawing from her background in graphic design and multimedia, Esme creates a distinctive visual style that resonates with both children and adults. For Rafi Feels Different, she collaborated closely with her best childhood friend, Joelle McDonald, the author of the book. Together, they crafted a story that fosters empathy, self-acceptance, and understanding.Esme is passionate about the power of art to spark conversation and inspire young minds. Outside of children's books, she enjoys exploring a wide range of creative projects, from educational content to multimedia art.Now based in Longmont, Colorado, Esme continues to pursue her love for illustration and design, excited for the many creative endeavors to come. Rafi Feels Different marks her debut book, and she looks forward to many more artistic collaborations in the future.