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Tedd Arnold Born:
January  20, 1949
Elmira, New York,
United States Of America

Current Home:
Elmira, New York,
United States Of America

Tedd Arnold

Biography

Author and artist Tedd Arnold was born in Elmira, NY on January 20, 1949. His family lived on a farm in Pennsylvania for several years before moving to Gainesville, Florida. There, Tedd began taking his first art lessons in an abandoned dentist’s office, which eventually led him to graduate with a B.F.A. from the University of Florida. He is married to Carol Clark, a teacher, and has two children. Carol introduced Tedd to the idea of writing and illustrating children’s books while he was working as a commercial illustrator. Tedd’s first son, Walter, inspired his breakthrough picture book, No Jumping on the Bed!, and his second son William its sequel, No Water in the Tub! Tedd has published more than 30 books, and in his spare time enjoys tennis, sketching, reading, coin collecting, and computers. He is currently living with his family in Elmira, NY, as a free-lance author and illustrator.

“The writing was always for the pictures. The pictures were the real thing, the reason for being, the fun. Which is why the label of 'author' still feels like brand new dress shoes, while 'artist' feels like well-worn, street-running, tree-climbing, can-kicking, ballpark sneakers. But don't we all just love a new pair of shoes!”

Tedd admits that many of his ideas for books and illustrations stem from things his kids say and do. He takes the idea and then develops it into a larger story. Once the story is written, Tedd begins the process of illustrating.

Tedd’s love of children’s books began when he himself was a child and his mother read him Dr. Seuss books. Tedd says that Dr. Seuss’ books remain vivid in his mind and were a great influence on his work. In addition, Tedd has a special love for Mother Goose rhymes and has illustrated two Mother Goose collections.

It is no surprise that one of Tedd’s favorite places is the library. Whenever he travels, he likes to visit libraries in different towns and cities. Because Tedd considers authors to be his friends, he says he is never lonely when he’s away from home because he can always find his friends at the library.

Before Tedd became a writer and illustrator, he had many interesting jobs, including soldier, hamburger maker, popcorn popper at the movie theater, worm counter at a fishing tackle store, delivering newspapers, and advertising. He proclaims that he loves his current job the most.

In addition to his wife and children, Tedd’s family consists of two cats, Cody and Friskie. Cody, a white cat, has appeared in many of his books.

Booklists/Awards

Inside a House that is Haunted
by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
1998

Huggly Takes a Bath
1998

Huggly’s Pizza
2000

Huggly Goes to School
2000

Huggly's Christmas
2001

Inside a Zoo in the City
by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
2000

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