John Himmelman was born in Kittery, Maine. He received a BFA from the School of Visual Arts in 1981. He wrote Talester the Lizard while taking a course in writing and illustrating children's books and it became his first published book. To pay the bills, he worked as a cook and then as a carpenter, working on his books at night. It took about six years before he could make a full time living writing and illustrating children's books.
He has written and illustrated over 70 children's books, many with nature-related themes. His books include Discovering Moths, Discovering Amphibians, Guide to Night Singing Insects of the Northeast, and Cricket Radio: Tuning In To the Night-Singing Insects.
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