Daniel San Souci was born in San Francisco and grew up across the bay in Berkeley, California. After graduating from high school, Daniel fulfilled his dream and attended the California College of Arts in Oakland.  He studied under many great teachers, including realist Ralph Borge and watercolorist George Post, who was a popular figure in the California Impressionist Movement.

 

Upon graduation from college, he started showing his paintings in galleries in San Francisco, Carmel, and Hawaii.  In 1978 Doubleday Publishers offered him a contract to do the art for a book titled “The Legend of Scarface: A Blackfeet Indian Tale.”  This first book did well and won awards, including the “New York Times Best Illustrated Book.”  This started a thirty year career in book illustration.  During this time, Daniel published over eighty books and created many book covers, including ones for “The Chronicle of Narnia” series.  He also won numerous awards with his books including “The Boston Globe/Hornbook Award,” “The Gold Medallion” from the Christian Booksellers Association,” “The National Parenting Publications Gold Award,” and “The Children’s Choice Award.”  He is also proud of the many wildlife books he has created, including three for the National Parks.