 Tenggren's early schooling and artistic influences were solidly grounded in Scandinavian techniques, motifs and myths; he worked with illustrating in the popular Swedish folklore and fairy tales annual "Bland Tomtar och Troll" ("Among Gnomes and Trolls"), where he succeeded illustrator John Bauer.After his first exhibition in 1920, Tenggren immigrated to the U.S. where he joined his sister in Cleveland, Ohio.Moving to New York City in 1922, he made a name for himself in magazine illustration and advertising, while continuing to illustrate children's books.