Arnold Stark Lobel (May 22, 1933-December 4, 1987) was a popular American author of children's books. Among his most popular books are those of the Frog and Toad series, and Mouse Soup, which won the Garden State Children's Book Award from the New Jersey Library Association. Lobel won the 1981 Caldecott Medal for his book, Fables. Lobel also illustrated the works of other authors. A notable example is Sam the Minuteman by Nathaniel Benchley, which was first published in 1969. He was born in Los Angeles, California. When he graduated from art school, he married Anita Kempler, who also achieved fame as a children's book author and illustrator. They moved to New York City and had two children.