Best-selling author, noted illustrator and set designer Ian Falconer has had a varied career spanning the worlds of publishing, opera, ballet and fine arts. Born in Ridgefield, Connecticut, Mr. Falconer studied Art History at New York University and painting at Parsons School of Design and Otis Art Institute.

Under the direction of artist David Hockney, he collaborated on the costume designs for the Los Angeles Opera production of Tristan and Isolde (1987); served as co-designer (sets and costumes) with Mr. Hockney on the Lyric Opera's production of Turandot (1992); and designed the costumes for The Royal Opera's production of Die Frau Ohne Schatten at Covent Garden. In 1996, Mr. Falconer designed the sets for The Atlantic Theater's production of The Santaland Diaries, written by David Sedaris.

For New York City Ballet, Mr. Falconer has designed scenery and costumes for Scènes de Ballet, for students from the School of American Ballet (1999), and Variations Sérieuses (2001), both choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon. He also designed scenery and costumes for Boston Ballet's production of Firebird (1999) also choreographed by Mr. Wheeldon and Stravinsky's Jeu de Cartes (2001), choreographed by Peter Martins.

In addition to his stage work, Mr. Falconer is working on his 24th cover for the New Yorker magazine and has designed floats for the new Main Street Parade at Disneyland. He is the author and illustrator of the critically acclaimed and New York Times best-selling children's books Olivia, a 2001 Caldecott Honor book; Olivia Saves the Circus, a New York Times Best Illustrated book of 2001; Olivia and the Missing Toy, also a #1 New York Times best-seller; Olivia's Opposites; and Olivia Counts.