Miroslav Šašek was a painter, illustrator, and the author of the famous "This is…" series of books featuring cities like Paris, Rome, New York, and others. His books have charmed both adults and children for over fifty years. Originally an architect by profession, Šašek left Czechoslovakia in 1947 to study in Paris and never returned home. He later worked as an editor for Radio Free Europe in Munich. At the end of the 1950s, he presented his first illustrated guide for children, This is Paris, to London's Allen publishing house. He aimed to depict Paris "quite differently... as it truly is. As I saw it when I first arrived, and how I see it now…". According to his editor, not a single line needed to be changed in the book, which went straight to press. "This is Paris," complete with his illustrations and text, was published in London in 1959 and soon after by McMillan in New York. Following Paris, more cities and countries were covered. Šašek's books were translated into multiple languages and published in tens of thousands of copies across France, Italy, Germany, Spain, South America, Japan, Scandinavia, and beyond, earning him numerous awards. Since 2003, his books have been republished and experienced a global revival.

Šašek's books are not just excellent guides; they showcase cities as they are: enchanting and ordinary, filled with famous landmarks and the small moments of everyday life. He didn't forget about children, games and attractions, pets, typical professions, and local customs. He created his books in the middle of the places he wrote about: "You have to get to know these people, they have to get to know you… Then you start to see it through their eyes, and it's no longer just about buildings and landmarks, but life, ordinary life, and that's what makes these cities." Through his generous series about cities and countries, Miroslav Šašek has guided several generations of children and parents around the world. Now, after many years, his work returns to the Czech Republic.

Originally from Prague, Mgr. Tereza Říčanová, Ph.D., moved to a farm in Mezná in the Vysočina region twenty years ago, and has been living there ever since. She studied illustration and graphics at the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague, in the studio of Jiří Šalamoun. She completed her Ph.D. in the studio of illustration and graphics at the same university. Tereza Říčanová's artistic work spans a wide range of disciplines, including writing and illustrating children's books. Among her authored books are To je Istanbul (This is Istanbul) (2018), Obrazy světa (The World In Pictures) (2016), Psí knížka (Dog Book) (2014), Velikonoční knížka (Easter Book) (2012), Noemova archa (Noah's Ark) (2010), Měsíček svítí (The Moon Is Shining) (2008), Vánoční knížka (Christmas Book) (2008), and Kozí knížka (Goat Book) (2005). She performs in a unique theater show about the wolf Šedivák and the Black Lady, and her energetic theatricality extends to leading art workshops. Besides illustrating children's books, she has long been dedicated to painting, where she focuses on plants and dreams. Her dominant artistic techniques include graphics and glass underpainting. Since 2019, she has also embraced the role of a dancer, performing in the Kozí kraviny show at the Ponec Theater with Barbara Látalová. That same year, she received the M. Šašek Foundation Award for the design of the Kravská kniha (Cow Book), which she is preparing for publication. In the past, she has received awards such as the Most Beautiful Book of the Czech Republic and the Golden Ribbon. Her illustrated album Noemova archa (Noah's Ark) was nominated for the Magnesia Litera prize.

Olga Černá studied agronomy and has worked in a laboratory, a bookstore, a village library, and is currently employed at the Milevsko monastery. She is a principal author for the Baobab publishing house, where she has published six children's books. She also writes short texts of various genres for magazines and newspapers and regularly contributes to the Respekt weekly blog. She lives in South Bohemia. Černá has been honored with the Librarian of the Year title, and her books are regularly recognized with the IBBY Golden Ribbon award.

Jaroslav Tvrdoň graduated in the field of Theory and History of Modern and Contemporary Art from the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague. Since 2010, he has co-directed the RUBATO publishing house with Petr Januš, and since 2020, he has focused his efforts largely on samizdat prints which he publishes under his own brand OFFICINA PRAGA. He publishes essays on book and graphic design, literature, and visual arts, particularly in the magazines A2, a cultural fortnightly, and HOST. He also engages in editorial and publishing work and teaches the history of graphic design and typography. He has been twice awarded in the competition for the Most Beautiful Books of the Czech Republic for his own book designs. Many years ago, he published a collection of short stories Tam, nahoře (Way Up There) (2005). Recently, for his own pleasure, he published the small Manuál rybářského učně (Fishing Apprentice’s Handbook) (2022). He is currently preparing more books for publication.