Jo Spier was Jewish, and, during the Second World War, Peter and his father were two of nine prisoners of Villa Bouchina and were later imprisoned in Theresienstadt.
Spier started his career as a commercial artist for advertising agencies and only later focused on writing and illustrating children's books.
[2] Like other children's illustrators such as Beatrix Potter or Christopher Wormell, Peter Spier demonstrates his talent and skills as an artist/illustrator using pen, ink and watercolour on paper.
Close examination will often yield a humorous scene not readily apparent at first glance the finding of which often delights readers of all ages.
The Doubleday & Company, Inc., of Garden City, New York, originally published many of Spier's works including The Mother Goose Library Series: "London Bridge Is Falling Down!".