Brad Sneed

In May of 1989, I traveled to New York City in order to show my illustration portfolio to a handful of picture book editors and art directors. As a wide-eyed soon-to-be Kansas University graduate, experiencing the Big Apple for the first time was quite a thrill. The excitement I felt then was eclipsed a month later when I received word from an editor that he was looking for someone to illustrate a wonderful manuscript, and that I might be just the person for the job! I was now a real illustrator! Well, I had so much fun working on that project that I decided to submit a story of my own. Imagine my elation when LUCKY RUSSELL was accepted for publication. Now I was a real author! Twenty plus books later, the excitement and satisfaction I feel while working on a picture book has not diminished one iota.

I live with my wife and daughter near Kansas City, in Prairie Village, Kansas. I really love spending time in the great outdoors. I have been fortunate to explore the Colorado Rocky Mountains on horseback and on foot, Arizona's canyons, California tide pools, Florida beaches and the lakes and streams in Minnesota and Ontario. Closer to home I get my outdoor fix in the wide-open spaces of the Kansas Flint Hills. I also enjoy visiting schools to talk with kids about illustrating and writing picture books. I hope to see you somewhere along the trail!