Tad Hills grew up in Norwell, Massachusetts, with a love of wildlife and nature. His mother taught fourth grade science for the Audubon Society and often brought home animals. Raccoons, snakes, owls, and turtles were common guests in their house. His love of nature and wildlife is reflected by his favorite books from his childhood: Robert McCloskey’s Blueberries for Sal, The Biggest Bear by Lynd Ward, and chapter books by Thornton Burgess. Tad’s interest in art drew him to Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York, where he studied painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, creative writing, and poetry, but his greatest education came with the arrival of his children. As an adult Tad still makes many of the same things he made as a kid. Alongside his kids—Elinor, age 10, and Charlie, age 8—he’s made marionettes, jewelry, a tree house and Halloween costumes.