Marcus Pfister was born in Bern, Switzerland. After studying at art school in Bern, he trained as a graphic artist. His first picture book was published by NordSüd in 1986, but his breakthrough as author and illustrator came in 1992 with the publication of The Rainbow Fish. Since then he has published more than 60 books, which have been translated into about 65 languages and have won many international awards. He lives with his family in Bern.