Rick Walton was born 1957, in Provo, Utah. He received his bachelor's degree in Spanish from Brigham Young University in 1980 and his master's degree in 1999. Walton is the author of over sixty books for children. His works include joke books, picture books, a collection of poetry, activity books, mini-mysteries, and educational software. His titles include Once There was a Bullfrog, Why the Banana Split, Bertie was a Watchdog, and A Very Hairy Scary Story.