At the age of fourteen, Marco Ventura, son of Milan artist/designer Piero Ventura, was assisting his father in his illustration work. After attending Brera State Fine Arts Academy in Milan for two years, Marco came to New York City to study at the School of Visual Arts. He began his freelance illustration career in 1988 and his artwork has been featured in many publications in the United States and internationally. His clients include Rizzoli, Chronicle Books, The Atlantic Monthly, Time, The New York Times Book Review, and Esquire. Marco has twice won the Society of Illustrators Silver Medal award and his second children’s picture book, the 2003 The Amazing Air Balloon, was a Junior Library Guild selection.