Rafael López is an internationally recognized Mexican illustrator and artist. He has received three Pura Belpré Award medals from the American Library Association. The Day You Begin, Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You, How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President Lincoln, Drum Dream Girl and Book Fiesta! are some of his notable works. He has also created a series of 54 portraits for the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino and thirteen stamps for the United States Postal Service.