About

Amanda Bjerkan Hennessy

Author

I’m a working mom of two awesome kiddos and married to an incredible husband. I love chocolate, tacos, Disney, crafting, and, of course, “Hamilton.” I currently work in Leadership Development for a Fortune 100 company and recently launched a party planning support business.

I moved from my hometown near Chicago, Illinois, to sunny Orlando, Florida in 2001 after getting my Master’s degree in Communication from the University of Illinois. I serendipitously met my husband the following year, and we got married a few years later. We moved back to Illinois in mid-2021 and are enjoying the seasons and being close to my family. Our kids are 13 and 11, and they bring me so much joy, laughter, and learning each and every day.

In 2019, I launched my own business, Dreaming Up Parties, to help busy people throw their own fabulous parties. I save clients time and energy by giving them fun ideas and streamlining the whole party planning process. (Check out the fun ideas I pulled together for a Hamilton-themed party!)

So, what compelled me to write a kids’ book about “Hamilton”? I absolutely loved the show and soundtrack as soon as I saw it in early 2019, and so did my kids, but it’s a bit advanced for the 5-10 year-old crew. As I listened to the soundtrack “non-stop,” my kids started asking lots of questions. Like, a lot. That’s when I decided to write this book to help make the show, music, and stories more accessible to elementary-age children, and to give them fun historical facts about the real-life characters from the show.

Currently reading: Supercommunicators
Recently read: A Primate’s Memoir, Reviving Ophelia
Currently watching: Shrinking, Modern Family (rewatching)
Consistently listening to: Armchair Expert and This Was Us podcasts

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Isabella Bjerkan

Illustrator

I’m a college student athlete who loves tennis, soccer, Star Wars, Disney, Hamilton, Italy, my dog, and my family.

I grew up in the Chicago suburbs and go to school at Daemen University in Buffalo, NY, where I play women’s tennis. I’ve loved playing sports my entire life, mainly soccer and tennis. When I’m not practicing, doing schoolwork, or at a tournament, I’m usually hanging out with friends or watching Netflix. I love my Cairn Terrier, who I named after Chewbacca from Star Wars. 

When my aunt visited us in the summer of 2020 and asked if I would be interested in illustrating for the Hamilton book for kids she was writing, I was really excited and immediately said “yes.” I love “Hamilton” and a lot of other musicals, so getting to bring together two things I love by drawing pictures for one of my favorite soundtracks was amazing. 

Currently adore: Jannik Sinner, Andrey Rublev, Aryna Sabalenka
Want to see: Waitress (the musical)
Currently (re)watching: Gilmore Girls, Sullivan’s Crossing, Star Wars: The Clone Wars