Richard Scarry was an acclaimed American children's author and illustrator, best known for his captivating and educational children's books. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Scarry was the son of shop owners. He had a challenging time in school, often skipping classes and displaying a lack of interest, which resulted in poor grades and taking five years to complete high school.

In 1939, Scarry began studying at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston but was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1942 during World War II. During his service, he worked as an art director, editor, and writer for Army information publications in North Africa and Italy.

After the war, Scarry worked in various art departments in New York City. He married Patricia Murphy in 1948 and a year later signed a contract with The Artists and Writers Guild to produce books for the Little Golden Books line. His first book was Two Little Miners. In 1963, he published Richard Scarry's Best World Book Ever, marking a significant success in his career.

Scarry and his wife moved to Lausanne, Switzerland in 1968, and later purchased a chalet in Gstaad in 1972, where he continued his work. Scarry created more than 300 books, selling over 100 million copies worldwide. He passed away at age 74 from a heart attack after surgery for esophageal cancer.

His beloved series, primarily set in the fictional town of Busytown, includes characters like Mr. Frumble, Huckle Cat, and Lowly Worm. These works have influenced countless authors and remain a staple in children's literature.