Simms Taback grew up in the Bronx and graduated from Cooper Union. He worked as an art director and a graphic designer, and taught at the School of Visual Arts and Syracause University. He illustrated many children's books, including There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly (Viking), Spacy Riddles, Snakey Riddles, Buggy Riddles, and Fishy Riddles (all written by Katy Hall and Lisa Eisenberg.) His work won many awards, including the Caldecott Honor Award Medal for There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly and a New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book. He passed away in 2011.