Bennett Cerf was born in 1898, in Manhattan. He was educated at Columbia University. In 1925 he acquired the Modern Library with Donald Klopfer, providing the foundation for their next publishing venture, Random House. A major figure of American publishing for more than four decades, Cerf died in 1971.
Roy McKie was an illustrator of children's books, most notably under the Beginner Books imprint. He illustrated many books penned by Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss) under the pen name Theo. LeSieg ("Geisel" spelled backwards). Books illustrated by McKie include: Skiing by Roy McKie & Henry Beard - 2002, Sailing by Roy McKie & Henry Beard - 2001, The Joke Book by Roy McKie - 1979, The Hair Book by Roy McKie & Graham Tether - 1979, Would You Rather Be a Bullfrog? by Theo. LeSieg - 1975, The Many Mice of Mr. Brice by Theo. LeSig - 1973 (the 1989 edition replaces this title with new ones called The Pop-Up Mice of Mr. Brice, later in 2004, Dr. Seuss celebrates 100th Anniversary to write as… Theo. LeSieg), My Book About Me, by Me Myself by Dr. Seuss & Roy McKie - 1969.