Michael Rae-Grant taught first and second grade in Brooklyn, New York for many years. During this time, he read a jillion picture books with kids. Or maybe a zillion. Whichever’s more. Eventually he decided to create a few picture books of his own. “Good idea!” said his students. “You’re great at drawing! Except horses.” “Thanks!” he replied. “And don’t worry—I know my limits.”

These days, Michael lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he works as a writer, illustrator, and curriculum developer. In his off-hours he chases after his two small children and his one small dog, all of whom are extremely fast. It’s okay—he needs the exercise. Plus, his wonderful wife, Uyen, is ready to tag in whenever he keels over.

Feel free to contact Michael at michael.rae.grant@gmail.com.

(And for what it’s worth, he’s happy to discuss his former life as a designer of “decodable texts” for young readers. Or even his former former life as a dilettante New Yorker cartoonist, if you like.)