Eric Kimmel was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1946. He received a bachelors degree in English Literature from Lafayette College. He also has a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Illinois. He was an elementary school teacher and college professor before becoming a full-time writer. He has published over fifty titles, many of which have won state and national awards. His titles Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins won the Caldecott Honor Medal, The Chanukkah Guest and Gershons Monster won the Sydney Taylor Picture Book Award and Anansi and the Talking Melon won the Utah Childrens Choice Award. Kimmel travels nationally and internationally visiting schools and talking about his books and telling stories.