Dan Yaccarino

Dan Yaccarino (born May 20, 1965) is an American author, illustrator, and television producer, who is known for his animated series, children's books and award-winning imagery. Born in Montclair, NJ, Yaccarino was influenced by a combination of advertising, comic books, vintage animation, toys, and old films, spending his childhood immersed in drawing, writing, and making movies.

Yaccarino attended Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles, CA, as well as Parson School of Design in NYC, where he earned a BFA in illustration in 1987.

"I'm inspired by other children’s book authors and illustrators," Yaccarino was quoted in saying, "as well as people from other fields like the director Henry Selick and singer-songwriter Brian Wilson."

Very soon after graduation, he began a commercial illustration career, starting with the New York Times Book Review, quickly moving on to national newspapers and magazines, as well as advertising campaigns.