Agent: Lori Nowicki

Gene Barretta is a self-taught illustrator with a BFA in Film Studies from NYU. Before launching his career as an illustrator, he worked for many years in film and television production. He has written, animated, and scored several films for Sesame Street and designed characters for the Jim Henson Company. The pacing and layout of his illustrations reflect a cinematic sensibility inspired by his filmmaking background. His primary goal as an author-illustrator is to make learning enjoyable and revitalizing for kids, and his works often focus on inspiring figures. He loves to explore connections to the past, and the historical origins of modern objects and ideas. Naturally, Gene is his family’s archivist, and has a large collection of movies, toys, and books, featuring his brother, Bill, one of the Muppet performers. He also collects rare Beatles recordings and outtakes. Gene is the author and illustrator of critically acclaimed books, such as Lincoln and Kennedy, Now & Ben, Neo Leo, and Timeless Thomas. He lives outside of Philadelphia with his son.