Illustrator, Richard Egielski was born in New York City on July 16, 1952. He studied at Parson's School of Design. He also studied the art of picture books with Maurice Sendak. He was the winner of the 1987 Caldecott Medal for his illustrations in Hey, Al by Arthur Yorinks. He wrote and illustrated Buz and Jazper which were chosen as New York Times Best Illustrated Books for Children. Other books illustrated by Egielski include The Tub People and The Tub Grandfather by Pam Conrad.