| Tad Hills | |
| Birth Date: | 1 April 1963 |
| Birth Place: | Needham, Massachusetts |
| Nationality: | American |
| Genre: | Children's fiction |
Tad Hills (born April 1, 1963, in Needham, Massachusetts) is an American children's book author and illustrator. His first picture book, Duck & Goose, a New York Times bestseller and ALA Notable Book for Children, is about a pair of feathered friends.[1] In a starred review, Kirkus Reviews wrote that "readers will likely hope to see more of this adorable odd couple"[2] —a hope that was realized. The Duck & Goose series now contains nine titles, including Duck, Duck, Goose; Duck & Goose Find a Pumpkin; and Duck & Goose, It's Time for Christmas.[3] Hills is also the author of How Rocket Learned to Read, winner of the Irma Simonton Black & James H. Black Award for Excellence in Children's Literature[4] and a New York Times bestseller.[5] A sequel, Rocket Writes a Story, was published to similar acclaim, debuting at #1 on the New York Times Best Seller list and named as a top picture book of the year by Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Publishers Weekly, and School Library Journal.[6]
Hills was raised in Norwell, Massachusetts in a creative household. His grandmother was an accomplished artist—together, she and Hills created paintings, drawings, and books. His mother, a 4th-grade science teacher, inspired his love of nature by frequently bringing home animals (including raccoons, owls, and other wild creatures). "I come from a long line of engineers on both sides, so my interest in making things almost feels like it could be genetic", Hills has said.
Hills graduated with a degree in art from Skidmore College in New York. He states, however, that his greatest educational experience has been raising his children: "Spending time with my kids helps me remember what it's like to be a child. I try to capture that innocence and enthusiastic vision of the world in my books. I want kids to see themselves in my characters".[7]
Hills has dabbled in many arts, including acting, jewelry-making, and interior designing.[8] He began illustrating picture books in the late 90s when his wife, Lee Wade, was the VP and creative director for Simon & Schuster's children's book division: "Lee used to ask me to try illustrating some books she couldn't find an illustrator for," he said. Hills published the first book in his breakout Duck & Goose series in 2006, when Wade and friend Anne Schwartz began Schwartz & Wade Books (a Random House imprint).[9]
Hills lives in Brooklyn with his wife and two children.[10]
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