Tze-si Huang is a professional translator from his native Chinese into English. At a young age, he stowed away on a freighter going to Hong Kong and Taiwan, where he stayed and prayed with monks at various Buddhist temples. He eventually immigrated to the United States, attending New York University and Columbia University for postgraduate studies. Demi is the author and illustrator of more than 300 children's books, including picture-book biographies of spiritual leaders such as Jesus, Buddha, the Dalai Lama, Gandhi, Lao Tzu, Krishna, Mahavira, and Muhammad. Her books have been designated American Library Association Notable Children's Books, New York Times Best Illustrated Books, Notable Books for a Global Society, and American Bookseller Pick of the List Books. They live in Yarrow Point, Washington.