Ruth Heller Gross[1] (1923–2004), professionally known as Ruth Heller, was a children's author and graphic artist known for her use of bright color and detail in both geometric design and the representation of creatures, plants, patterns, and puzzles.
Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, she grew up in San Francisco, California, USA, where she lived until she died of cancer in 2004.
[1] Heller began her career designing wrapping paper, cocktail napkins, greeting cards, and coloring books.
[2] Her books are written in a rhyming verse reminiscent of Gilbert and Sullivan, Hilaire Belloc, or Dr. Seuss.
Ms. Heller completed two years of graduate work in design at the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland,[3] and got her first art job in the early 1960s, designing napkins, matchboxes, and gift wrap for Cost Plus.