Brian Wildsmith has deservedly won a reputation as one of the greatest living children's illustrators. Raised in the English mining village of Penistone, he won a scholarship to the Slade School of Fine Art where he studied for three years. For a while he taught music at the Royal Military School of Music, but then gave it up so that he could paint full-time. In 1962 he published his first children's book ABC, for which he was awarded the Kate Greenaway medal, Britain's highest honor in the field. Many consider him to be much more than a children's book author and illustrator; there is a museum dedicated to his work in Japan. Brian is known for his brilliant use of color, radiant portrayal of nature, and the soulful animation he brings to his illustrations of animals. He has said: "I believe that beautiful picture books are vitally important in subconsciously forming a child's visual appreciation, which will bear fruit in later life." Brian is married, has four children, and lives in the south of France.