s a child, author/illustrator Jeremy Tankard often entertained himself by creating little books. They often featured a pig family who had a series of misadventures. The only words in the books were "Hallo", "HALP!", and "Bye bye"—probably because they were the only words he knew how to spell—sort of. Luckily he’s learned how to spell some other words since then!

These other words include grumpy and bird which he successfully paired for the title of his first picture book, Grumpy Bird (Scholastic Press, April 2007). This was followed with another picture book, Me Hungry!, from Candlewick Press (April 2008). Then in April 2009 he released a much-anticipated sequel to Grumpy Bird called Boo Hoo Bird (Scholastic Press, April 2009). He is currently working on a number of exciting new projects, including his first illustrated picture book by a different author. Stay tuned. In the years between those early books and these (only slightly more sophisticated) ones he honed his illustration chops producing drawings for Time magazine, Fortune, the New York Times, Boston Globe and many others.

Jeremy likes to think of himself as an authorstrator. When not authorstrating books he dabbles in music and does Kung Fu. But not at the same time – that would be difficult. If you really want to win Jeremy’s undying affection you might try baking him an apple pie. Yum!

Jeremy was born in Cape Town, South Africa, but left at the age of four for a new life in the United States. His family lived first in Columbia, South Carolina, then Hazard, Kentucky, and finally Knoxville, Tennessee before making another move. This time they landed in Calgary where he spent many years. He currently lives in Toronto with his wife, Heather, and two children, Hermione and Theo.