Born on August 9th in Manila, the Philippines, Jose Aruego has a law degree from the University of the Philippines, but he chose to become a children’s book illustrator instead. He moved to New York City in order to attend the Parsons School of Design. In 1969, his first children’s book, The King and His Friends, was published by Scribner. Once married to Ariane Dewey, their names grace the covers of many books: he draws the pictures using pen and ink, after which she applies the colors. In 1974, Herman the Helper was awarded a Boston Globe Horn Book Honor. He continues to live in New York City, where his latest book is Weird Animals.

— Vicki Palmquist