Matt Tavares was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1975. Matt wrote and illustrated his first picture book, Sebastian's Ball, as his senior thesis at Bates College. Three years later, after much revision, Sebastian's Ball became Zachary's Ball, his first published picture book. Since then, Matt has published a number of books. Matt's books have won several awards, including three Parents' Choice Gold Awards, a Parents' Choice Silver Honor, two Oppenheim Gold Seal Awards, and an International Reading Association Children's Book Award. Matt lives in Ogunquit, Maine with his wife, Sarah, and their two daughters.