Ylleya Fields Ylleya Fields was hunting for books to read to her eldest daughter when she was 2, and was struck by the small selection of titles featuring modern African American characters. Blending both of her daughters' images and personalities, she created Princess Cupcake Jones. Born in South America, she lives in Cleveland, Ohio. Michael LaDuca is an animator and illustrator who always knew his calling was in the arts. As a master of character expression and still-framed storytelling, he produces brilliant illustrations that charm audiences and bring storybooks to life. He lives in Buffalo, New York.