Loren Long is the award-winning author and illustrator of the New York Times bestselling Otis picture book series. He has also illustrated several other well-loved picture books, including Love by Newberry medalist Matt de la Peña, Good Day, Good night, by Margaret Wise Brown, the re-illustrated edition of The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper and Of Thee I Sing by President Barack Obama. Loren studied graphic design at the University of Kentucky, and later completed graduate studies at the American Academy of Art in Chicago.