Ruth Krauss's beloved picture books include two Caldecott Honor Books, The Happy Day, illustrated by Marc Simont, and A Very Special House, illustrated by Maurice Sendak, as well as the perennial favorite A Hole is to Dig, also illustrated by Mr. Sendak.

Crockett Johnson (1906-1975) was the writer and illustrator of over twenty books for children, including the beloved classic Harold and the Purple Crayon, six subsequent adventures starring Harold, and The Carrot Seed, written by his wife, Ruth Krauss. He was also the creator of the groundbreaking Barnaby, one of the most influential and ingenious comic strips of the twentieth century.