Queen Zixi of Ix

Lyman Frank Baum (1856 - 1919) was an American author, actor, and independent filmmaker best known as the creator, along with illustrator W. W. Denslow, of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, one of the most popular books in American children's literature. He wrote thirteen Oz sequels, nine other fantasy novels, and scores of other works; 55 novels, 82 short stories, over 200 poems, an unknown number of scripts, as well as many miscellaneous writings.

Laural Merlington is an Audie-nominated and Earphones award-winning narrator who has recorded and directed over two hundred titles, including works by Margaret Atwood and Alice Hoffman. She has performed and directed for thirty years in theaters throughout the country. In addition to her extensive theater and voiceover work, she teaches college in her home state of Michigan.