Mark Tappan Author

Sergeant Mark Tappan shares a special bond with his K9 partner Mattis, one of the most decorated police K9s of all time and knows that true success is built on relationships--with friends and family, the community we’re in, and the dogs beside us. He learned his canine training skills from his father, who trained Labrador Retrievers. Mark often talks about how his determination and competitive drive set him up well for his careers as a marine, youth pastor, and now, a sergeant in the Alpharetta Police Department. While Mark has trained many dogs in his tenure as an officer, he believes Mattis is the best. Donald Wu was born in Hong Kong and grew up in Oakland, California. His passion for drawing and comic books led him to attend California College of the Arts, where he studied illustration. He has been working full time in the field of children’s illustration for over 15 years. When Donald is not in his home studio, surrounded by toys and books, he can be found on the bay, paddling with his dragon-boat team. Donald currently lives in the San Francisco Bay area with his wife, Leanne; son, Nolan; daughter, Violet; and dog, Honey.