Eric Kimmel has wanted to be an author since he was in kindergarten and learned that authors create books. In 1974, he published his first book. Since then, he's produced over fifty books, many of which have received multiple state prizes, made school and library recommended lists, and won renowned accolades like the Caldecott Honor Medal (Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins) and the Sydney Taylor Picture Book Award (The Chanukkah Guest and Gershon's Monster). He is the only picture book author to win the National Jewish Book Award twice. The Chanukkah Visitor was the first time.

The Mysterious Visitors was the second time. The Daughters of the Texas Revolution awarded him the Naylor Prize for his collection of stories from Texas missions, The Lady With The Blue Cloak.