Jean-Jacques Sempe (b.1932) is one of the world's most successful illustrators and cartoonists. He is the illustrator of the classic children's-book character, Nicholas, and author of a collection of some thirty albums of his cartoons and graphic novels, all published or to be published by Phaidon. His world-renowned illustrations and cartoons are featured on the cover of the New Yorker and in Paris Match .

Rene Goscinny (1926-77), born in Paris, lived most of his early years in Buenos Aires and New York. He returned to France in the 1950s where he met Jean-Jacques Sempe and together they created the character for Nicholas, the famous schoolboy. He later worked with Alberto Uderzo, on making the adventures of Asterix the Gaul. A prolific and internationally successful children's author, he is also the creater of Lucky Luke and Dingodossiers , among others. He also received Cesars for his numerous animated cartoons.