Jeff Dombek began his career as an illustrator working for a display company in Baltimore, but it wasn't until he became an art teacher that the great illustrative works of Ezra Jack Keats, Eric Carle, and Faith Ringgold captured his attention. “There is something free and magical in both their writing and illustrations, dovetailing perfectly with ways to inspire young art students,” he notes, reflecting on his 30 years of teaching elementary-aged children. The inventive collage styles and the use of mixed media by these aforementioned illustrators strongly impacted his own published and unpublished works. His first children’s book, Sam: The Tale of a Chesapeake Bay Rockfish was published in 1997 and is now in its third printing. His newest picture book is How The Oysters Saved The Bay. Dombek’s other works include the early chapter book titles Caveman Art Teacher and Caveman P.E. Teacher. He continues to produce a variety of stories, artwork, and “stuff” at the Maryland home where lives with his family and two crazy cats.
