Diane deGroat 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. She is the illustrator of more than 130 children's books and has worked with Eve Bunting, Lois Lowry, Johanna Hurwitz, and Dr. Ruth. She is also the author-illustrator of the Gilbert and Friends series and the Annie Pitts series. 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.