With more than 170 books to his credit, children's author and illustrator Robert Quackenbush is still at it.

He started his career as an illustrator, decorating 60 books with his pictures, but began creating stories after his son's birth in 1974. The idea for "Batbaby," Quackenbush's award-winning book about a baby bat's first venture on his own, came from his son's graduation from college and start in the real world.

His wife, Margery, was the inspiration behind Miss Margery Mallard of the "Miss Mallard Mysteries" stories.

Quackenbush writes and illustrates every day. After growing up in Arizona, he moved to New York City, where he lives and works.

When he is not in his New York studio, he's on book tours that have taken him as far away as the Middle East.

He has received many honors, including the American Flag Institute Award for outstanding contributions to children's literature, the Edgar Allan Poe Special Award for best juvenile mystery and the Gradiva Award for "Batbaby."

His artwork is displayed in the Whitney Museum and at the Smithsonian Institution. You can read more about Robert Quackenbush on the Internet at www.rquackenbush.com.

Pub Date: 10/25/98