Leonard Kessler

Leonard Kessler (October 28, 1920 – February 16, 2022) was an American children's book author and illustrator who published more than 200 books, including more than 45 in collaboration with his wife Ethel Kessler. His books include Mr. Pine's Purple House.

Early life and education Leonard Kessler was born in Akron, Ohio and grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His father, Albert, was a plumber and his mother, Lillian, was a nursing assistant. He recalled his grandmother giving him crayons when he was six years old, and telling him, "Lenny, take this crayon; you can make your own world." From 1942 to 1945 Kessler served in the United States Army during World War II, and he used his artistic abilities to sketch enemy gun emplacements as a scout stationed in Europe.

In 1949, Kessler received his bachelor's degree in fine arts from Carnegie Mellon University, where he shared a studio with the artists Andy Warhol and Philip Pearlstein, with whom he remained friends. His first book, "What’s in a line? A first book of graphic expression", was published in 1951. Kessler went on to write and illustrate more than 200 books for young readers, including about 45 that he created in collaboration with his wife, Ethel Kessler.

Kessler often worked on about six books at a time. Bezos said upon the 2014 introduction of the Fire Phone that the device was inspired in part by Mr. Pine's Purple House.