Holling (1900–1973) graduated from the Art Institute of Chicago in 1923, joined the taxidermy department of Chicago's Field Museum of Natural History and worked in anthropology under Dr. Ralph Linton. Holling created the book Paddle-to-the-Sea, which was a Caldecott Honor Book in 1942. He married Lucille Webster and accepted a position as art instructor on the first University World Cruise, sponsored by New York University. Holling dedicated much of his time and interest to creating The World Museum pages and books for children.