Edward Ardizzone (1900-1979) was born in French Indochina (now Vietnam) and moved to Ipswich, England, when he was five years old. It was in Ipswich, he later wrote, that he ""learnt to know and love the little coastal steamers that I have drawn so often in the Tim books."" Ardizzone illustrated more than 170 books, and his outstanding work in the field of children's book illustration was recognized when he won the Kate Greenaway Medal in 1956. In addition to his illustrations for works by Eleanor Farjeon (including Jim at the Corner, published by NYRB Kids), Dylan Thomas, and Robert Louis Stevenson, Ardizzone wrote and illustrated his own books, including the celebrated Little Tim series, which was inspired in part by his dreams of escape from boarding school.
""[One] of the saltiest and most satisfying picture books created during the last generation."" —Maurice Sendak ""Mr. Ardizzone... paints the wettest sea you ever saw."" —The New York Times