David Cox grew up in outback Queensland. When he left school, he followed family tradition and went to work on sheep and cattle stations. But when he was 21, David went to England to study at St Martins School of Art. While in his first year at the school, he was offered his first book illustration commission. David stayed in Europe for eight years. Back in Australia, he worked as an artist in the newspaper industry and wrote articles, book and art reviews. In 1978, he was awarded the Walkeley Award for newspaper illustration. David began writing and drawing for children in the 1960s, with a series of three books about two children and their pony. He went on to become one of Australia's most prolific book illustrators. Several of the books he has written and illustrated have won awards and citations in Australia and the USA, including Ayu and the Perfect Moon and The Drover's Dog, and he has illustrated many books written by other people, including Captain Wetbeard.