Claudia Gottardo was born in Venice, Italy, the city she says is the most beautiful in the world. She grew up reading comic books, watching cartoons and playing in the alleyways, courtyards and plazas of Venice. At the tender age of 7, after winning a drawing competition, she decided that she would become an illustrator when she grew up. 39 years later, she is still passionately committed to that decision. Claudia now lives in Milan, Italy.