Tyler Charlton grew up near the beach in California where he played in actual, real waves. That experience gave him a way to think about the dark and foreboding metaphorical waves, which led to this book. Tyler is a former editor in history publishing, an Army veteran, illustrator, and children’s book author. He now lives in northern Virginia with his wife and three children, who regularly pretend to be warrior robots or wild animals. The children will have you know there is one small, round cat as well. The Wave is Tyler’s debut picture book.