James Gurney is the best-selling author and illustrator of the Dinotopia book series and creator of more than seventy illustrated book covers. He has worked on assignment as a National Geographic artist and has illustrated seventeen United States postage stamps.

An accomplished, award-winning artist, Gurney is the recipient of many prestigious honors, including seven Chesley Awards from the Association of Fantasy Artists, two Hugo Awards from the World Science Fiction Convention, and Best of Show from the Art Director's Club.

Gurney's art currently appears in museum exhibitions around the world. Gurney lives in the Hudson River Valley of New York with his wife, two sons, and a blue parakeet - a living descendant of dinosaurs.