Born in Warsaw, Poland, on August 8th, Jan Pienkowski grew up in a family of architects and artists. His family moved a great deal because of World War II, moving to England in 1946. He went to King's College in Cambridge, studying Classics and English. While he was there, he drew posters and designed stage sets. He drew greeting cards, advertising, publishing, and television graphics. Illustrations for children's books became his main focus. He won the Kate Greenaway Medal in 1972 for Joan Aiken's book, The Kingdom Under the Sea, and in 1980 for his own book, Haunted House. It might be said that he created the modern pop-up book, of which he has published more than twenty. Today, he illustrates on the computer and draws in his studio overlooking the River Thames.