Maud and Miska Petersham

Maud Fuller Petersham (August 5, 1890 – November 29, 1971)^[1] and Miska Petersham (September 20, 1888 – May 15, 1960)^[1] were American writers and illustrators who helped set the direction for illustrated children's books that followed. The Petershams worked closely with such pioneering children's book editors Louise Seaman Bechtel and May Massee, and with such innovative printers as Charles Stringer and William Glaser. They worked as a seamless partnership for more than five decades. Both prolific and versatile, they produced illustrations for more than 120 trade and textbooks, anthologies, and picture books. Of the 50 books they both wrote and illustrated, many were recognized with important awards or critical acclaim.^[2] They are known for technical excellence, exuberant color, and the introduction of international folk and modernist themes.