Robert Quackenbush (1929-2021), the author and illustrator of more than two hundred books for young readers, was a graduate of the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles and also had a master's degree in social studies and a PhD in childhood education. Quackenbush's many books include the Henry the Duck series, Detective Mole , the Miss Mallard Mystery series, Pete Pack Rat , and the Sheriff Sally Gopher series. He was the three-time winner of the American Flag Institute Award for outstanding contributions to children's literature and winner of an Edgar Allan Poe Special Award for best juvenile mystery. He lived in New York City with his wife, Margery, director of NAAP. Their now adult son, Piet, was the inspiration for many of the author's books when he was growing up.