Duncan Tonatiuh was born in Mexico City and grew up in San Miguel de Allende, in the historical state of Guanajuato, Mexico. He studied writing and illustration at Parsons School of Design at the New School in New York City. His books, including A Land of Books, Feathered Serpent and the Five Suns, and The Princess and theWarrior, have received many awards over the years. He divides his time between New York City and Mexico.