Who is William Péne du Bois?

William Pène Sherman du Bois was a writer and illustrator. He is best known for his work in children's books, such as "The Twenty-One Balloons."

Du Bois was born in May 1916 in Nutley, NJ, but he spent much of his life in France. He began publishing children's books in the 1930s. His most famous book, "The Twenty-One Balloons," was released in 1947 and won the Newbery Medal. In addition to creating his own works, he also served as an illustrator for other notable authors, such as Jules Verne, Roald Dahl and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. He died in February 1993.