[1][2] Doug Salati is the creator of the picture book Hot Dog, a New York Times bestseller[3] and recipient of the 2023 Randolph Caldecott Medal and Ezra Jack Keats Award.

[5] As a child, Salati was fascinated by the world of children's books and was especially drawn to the works of iconic illustrators like Maurice Sendak and Tomie dePaola.

[8] After completing his MFA, Salati began teaching at the School of Visual Arts and started his career as a children's book author and illustrator.

In Salati's 2023 Caldecott Medal acceptance speech, he stated, "Tomie claimed that he couldn’t figure out how to make the pictures for a manuscript he had written and asked if I wanted to give it a try.

[4] Doug Salati has cited a variety of illustrators who have influenced his style, many of whom he encountered as a child, including Quentin Blake, Maurice Sendak, Trina Schart Hyman, John Steptoe, and Ed Young.

[16] Salati's work is influenced by a range of sources, including Maurice Sendak, whose ability to create fantastical worlds and characters that are both whimsical and grounded in reality has been a significant inspiration.

He also draws inspiration from Tomie dePaola, who taught him the importance of simplicity and clarity in illustration, and whose ability to convey complex emotions and stories through simple yet powerful images has been a lasting influence.

[10] He is also inspired by classic children's literature, such as the works of Beatrix Potter and A.A. Milne, which he admires for their timeless quality and ability to resonate with readers of all ages.