Carl Joe Williams is a renowned visual artist and illustrator whose work juxtaposes reality with the abstract. His first picture book was Mardi Gras Almost Didn't Come This Year by Kathy Z. Price. In a starred review, ALA Booklist described the illustrations in the book to be "as powerful as the story." Born and raised in New Orleans, his cultural heritage is reflected in his pieces, which often explore themes of social injustice, unity, and the human spirit. He brings his dynamic blend of color, texture, and form to his picture book illustrations, which provoke thought and inspire dialogue among readers.