Miska Petersham

Biografía

Mikaly Petrezselyem, the son of a carpenter and blacksmith, grew up in a peasant home. In 1911 he moved to London. Unable to support himself with art, upon advice of a friend, he emigrated to New York in 1912. Shortening his last name to Petersham, he obtained work with the International Art Service, where he met his wife, Maud Fuller. The Petershams began illustrating books together, for other authors. In 1929 they wrote and illustrated their first book, Miki, about their son. In 1946, they received the Caldecott Medal for "The Rooster Crows". Often they traveled to lands such as Holland, Greece, Germany, and Palestine to research their books. The Petershams wrote and illustrated 60 books for children and illustrated 100 by other authors.