Paul Lantz was a painter and illustrator. He was born in Stromsburg, Nebraska, attended the Kansas City Art Institute, where, at age 15, was the youngest student ever enrolled. By the age of 17, he was studying art in New York and at age 18 he traveled to Europe.

He traversed the world, living in Santa Fe and Springer, New Mexico, Central America, Mexico and the Philippine Islands. His murals are still on display in Santa Fe and across the southwest. He illustrated more than 35 children’s books, including a groundbreaking story called Blue Willow by Doris Gates, which was published first in 1940.