Joe Cepeda received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from California State University, Long Beach, and also studied Engineering at Cornell University. He is a fine artist, as well as an illustrator of more than thirty-five book jackets and picture books, which have received many honors including Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies, Parenting Magazine's Reading Magic Award, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award, Texas Library Association 2x2 Reading List, ALA Notable Books, and Child Magazine's Best Book of the Year.

Joe illustrated Hey, Hey, Hay! by Christy Mihaly, Vamonos! Let's Go! by Rene Colato Lainez,and Swing Sisters by Karen Deans. He both wrote and illustrated two I Like to Read books--Up and I Dig. Joe received an American Library Association Pura Belpr Honor and the Recognition of Merit Award from the George G. Stone Center for Children's Books. He lives in Southern California.