Before I share some formal and semi-important details about myself, I’d like to start with a few fun facts. Perhaps that’s all you really want to know! Here we go:

#1: I love cake—almost any cake! I enjoy baking them, too.

#2: I come from a big family; I am the youngest of seven children—six sisters and one brother. Yes, you read that correctly! Now, you might be thinking, “Oh, the poor boy!” But no! I was always surrounded by the love of many women.

#3: I enjoy walking in the woods. During my childhood, I was surrounded by chestnut trees and pine forests. Today, my landscape features redwood trees and the stunning Pacific Ocean. Nature is where I decompress and recharge.

Ready for the more official stuff? I was born and raised in Munich, Germany. After studying graphic design in Augsburg, I began my career in feature animation. This experience opened the door to a bigger world and eventually led me to work for DreamWorks Animation in the United States. With a deep passion for storytelling, I have always been drawn to illustration, particularly picture books. After twenty-five years in this mesmerizing field of books, I am an award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator, known for my work on numerous picture and chapter books, as well as original stories, many of which have been translated into various languages. Notably, “She Persisted, The Musical” was adapted for the stage, and my work has been featured in exhibitions across the United States, Europe, and Japan.

I now reside in Northern California with my husband and daughter (who is currently away discovering the world), along with a cat and a dog.

Helo, dear Reader! Are you still there? Because, well…look!

Fun fact #4: I’ve been told that, on occasion, I snore. This might be true, but I am NOT sure!