Michael Steven Weber was born and raised near Grand Rapids, Michigan, partly in a rural suburb and partly in a quaint little cottage on a private lake. Michael is a published picture book illustrator (Magination Press and Hachai Publishing), and a BFA graduate of the Chicago Art Institute. Michael once knew the privilege of working (in the capacity of a general assistant) for Richard S. Barnes who was the nephew of Charles M. Barnes, founder of Barnes and Noble. Richard (now deceased) was a literary scholar. Michael now lives with his wife, Marian and their cats, Bootsie and Harper in a rural suburb nearby where he was born and raised.