Jan Brett is an American illustrator and author known for her beautifully detailed illustrations in children's picture books. She was born in 1949 in Massachusetts and studied art at Colby-Sawyer College and the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Brett has written and illustrated over 30 books, many of which incorporate folktales and traditions from different countries. Her books often take a year or more to complete due to the level of detail in her illustrations. Brett's books have received numerous awards and honors.