Gail Gibbons was born in 1944 in Oak Park, Illinois. She attended the University of Illinois, majoring in graphic design. Upon her graduation from college, Gibbons moved to New York City. Gibbons got a job doing artwork for television shows in New York City. She was eventually offered a job creating art for a children's show and realized how much she loved working in that genre. She put forth an idea for a children's book which was immediately bought by a publisher. That book was called "Willie and His Wheel Wagon" and opened the door for Gibbons to become a full fledged children's author and illustrator. Gibbons has written and illustrated more than 100 non-fiction books for children.