The Marvelous Toy

TOM PAXTON is one of the world’s best-known and loved singer/songwriters. In 2009, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy (The Grammy Awards). His newest CD, Comedians & Angels, was also nominated for a Grammy and his first six albums have been rereleased. Paxton’s influence on folk music has been inestimable: his songs have been recorded by several major artists including Pete Seeger; Peter, Paul, and Mary; Joan Baez; Arlo Guthrie; and Johnny Cash. His best-known tunes include ""The Last Thing on My Mind,"" ""Ramblin' Boy,"" ""Bottle of Wine,"" and ""Goin' to the Zoo."" Many address social concerns such as political injustice, inequality, and ecology, but others celebrate the bonds of family and friendship, and the joys of childhood. He has been richly honored: the ASCAP Lifetime Achievement Award, four Grammy nominations, and the Martin Guitar Company has even named a guitar after him. He is a true musical treasure. STEVE COX began his career working in design and character merchandising, eventually handling all the licensing and product design for Count Duckula, one of the most popular animation series on Thames TV in England. However, he decided to return to art, and has since illustrated hundreds of children’s books, including complex pop-ups. Cox’s first picture book was Pigs Might Fly for which he won a Red House Children’s Book Award. His other books include The Diary of a Killer Cat, Short and Sweet: The Life and Times of Lollipop Munchkin, and Ants in My Pants as well as many others.