Diane deGroat is an author and illustrator, who grew up in New Jersey. She received a BFA in commercial art from the Pratt Institute in 1969. She designed the first basic reading series for Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, before becoming a free-lancer in 1972. She has worked on advertising, editorial, and design projects, but her main focus has been children's book illustration. Not only does she write and illustrate her own books, but she has also worked with such well-known authors as Eve Bunting, Lois Lowry, and Dr. Ruth. Her picture book Roses are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink was an IRA-CBC Children's Choice and State Children's Book Award winner in Arkansas and North Carolina. She… currently lives in Amherst, Massachusetts, where she works at home.