Bill Peet (1915-2002) was the author and illustrator of more than 30 picture books which have been enjoyed by children and praised by teachers and parents for fifty years. Born in Grandview, Indiana, Bill received a scholarship to the John Herron Art Institute in Indianapolis. Beginning as a sketch artist at the Walt Disney studios in 1937, he eventually became Disney's top story person--the only one Walt ever trusted to both write the scripts and draw the complete storyboards by himself which he did for two features: 101 Dalamatians and The Sword and the Stone. Books like The Wump World and Farewell to Shady Glade, put him at the forefront of creators speaking out about protecting the environment.