Ian Woodward Falconer (born August 25, 1959) is an American illustrator, children's book author, and costume and set designer for the theater. He has created 30 covers for The New Yorker as well as other publications. Falconer is best known for the Olivia series, which features a young pig and her many adventures, which was inspired by the birth of his first niece and his desire to give her a special "first" present. Born in Ridgefield, Connecticut, Mr. Falconer, who graduated from The Cambridge School of Weston, studied art history at New York University and painting at Parsons School of Design and Otis Art Institute.