Leo Lionni

Leo Lionni (1910–1999) was a Netherlands-born graphic artist, designer, painter, and author and illustrator of picture books. He studied economics in Zurich and Genoa and initially worked as a graphic designer and art director, including for advertising agencies and magazines in the United States. Although he had studied economics, he aspired to become an artist. In 1959 he published his first children’s book, “Little Blue and Little Yellow.” Among his best-known works is “Frederick,” the story of a mouse who collects words, colors, and warmth. Lionni created numerous award-winning picture books and received the German Youth Literature Prize in 1965.