Matt Novak is an author and illustrator born in 1962 who has been writing stories for as long as he can remember. He attended Kutztown State University and School of Visual Arts in New York. Some of his hobbies include reading, hiking, biking, gardening and cooking. Novak has been writing and illustrating books for 25 years and has won awards for books like Mouse TV and Newt. In addition to writing, he also works as a puppeteer, teacher, and Disney artist having worked on films like Rescuers Down Under and Beauty and the Beast. The document lists many of Novak's books and provides links to his website where teachers can find lessons to accompany his books.