Photo by Phyllis Graber Jensen Click here to download a hi-res author photo. Books written and illustrated by Matt Tavares Zachary's Ball, Candlewick, 2000 Oliver's Game, Candlewick, 2004 Mudball, Candlewick, 2005 Henry Aaron's Dream, Candlewick, 2010 There Goes Ted Williams, Candlewick, 2012 Becoming Babe Ruth, Candlewick, 2013 Growing Up Pedro, Candlewick, 2015 Crossing Niagara, Candlewick, 2016 Red & Lulu, Candlewick, 2017 Dasher, Candlewick, 2019 Hoops, Candlewick, 2023 Dasher Can't Wait For Christmas, Candlewick, 2023 Books illustrated by Matt Tavares 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, Anonymous, Candlewick 2002 Jack and the Beanstalk, E. Nesbit, Candlewick, 2006 Iron Hans, retold by Stephen Mitchell, Candlewick, 2007 Lady Liberty: A Biography, Doreen Rappaport, Candlewick, 2008 The Gingerbread Pirates, Kristin Kladstrup, Candlewick, 2009 Jack's Path of Courage, Doreen Rappaport, Disney, 2010 Over the River and Through the Wood, L. Maria Child, Candlewick, 2011 Helen's Big World, Doreen Rappaport, Disney, 2012 Jubilee!, Alicia Potter, Candlewick, 2014 Lighter Than Air, Candlewick, 2017 A Ben of All Trades, Michael J. Rosen, Candlewick, 2020 Twenty-One Steps, Jeff Gottesfeld, Candlewick, 2021 The Shape of Things, Dean Robbins, Knopf, 2024

New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Matt Tavares was born in Boston, and grew up surrounded by books and reading. From the time he was very young, his mother read to him every night, and his family made countless trips to the public library. Years later, as a studio art major at Bates College, he rediscovered his love for picture books, and decided to try to make his own. For his senior project, Matt wrote and illustrated a story called Sebastian's Ball, about a boy who caught a magic foul ball at a Boston Red Sox baseball game. Three years later, after much revision, Sebastian's Ball became Zachary's Ball, Matt's first published picture book. Zachary's Ball went on to win a Massachusetts Book Award Honor, and was named one of Yankee Magazine's 40 Classic New England Children's Books. Since then, Matt has created over twenty more books. Three were named ALA Notable books, three won Parents' Choice Gold Awards, and twelve were chosen for the Society of Illustrators' Original Art exhibit. His artwork has been exhibited at the Brandywine River Museum, the Eric Carle Museum, and the Mazza Museum. When Matt's not working in his studio on his latest book project, he travels the country speaking and drawing at schools, libraries, conferences, and bookstores. He has presented at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Easter at the White House, and he's even done a few book signings at Fenway Park. Matt lives in Maine with his wife, Sarah, and their two daughters. For more information about Matt Tavares, visit the Candlewick Press website.