Charles Santore began his artistic career producing illustrations for advertising agencies and magazines. In the 1980s he turned his attention to children’s book illustration. He designed the books with an eye on the pacing and cadence of the images, building toward a grand finale, much like staging a ballet.

Santore illustrated more than 20 children’s books and is perhaps best known for his versions of classics such as The Wizard of Oz, Snow White, The Velveteen Rabbit, and The Little Mermaid.