Walter Wick

Walter Wick is a well-regarded American author, photographer, and artist, who is best known for his work on children's books and fiction/adventure novels. Wick is particularly famous for creating the illustrations in the popular series of picture books for young children, Can You See What I See and I Spy. Both series have been published by Scholastic.

Wick's interest in art and photography began at a young age. As a child, he enjoyed activities that kept him moving, such as neighborhood ball games, bike riding, and exploring the woods in Connecticut where he grew up. He also taught himself to draw, becoming fascinated with shapes, shading, and trying to make the objects in his drawings appear to pop out in 3-D. Later, Wick became interested in photography, taking pictures in the woods with his camera, tinkering with equipment in the darkroom, and experimenting with artistic effects.

Wick's big break in publishing came when he became the photographer of the I SPY books, in collaboration with writer Jean Marzollo. He did more than take the pictures, however. Wick thought of and sketched ideas, collected and made props, built sets, arranged and hid objects, adjusted lights, and then took the picture. He often took multiple pictures, rearranging objects and taking another picture until he achieved the desired result. Wick now writes and illustrates his own books, including A DROP OF WATER, WALTER WICK'S OPTICAL TRICKS, and the CAN YOU SEE WHAT I SEE? series. His latest book, HEY, SEYMOUR!, is an ever-expanding search-and-find that invites readers to join Seymour and his new friend Buttons on their adventures.