Meet our Authors & Illustrators

Before becoming a writer, Anne Rooney studied and taught medieval English and French literature at the universities of York and Cambridge. She writes short books for children, young adults and adults.

After studying Environmental Sciences at Southampton University, Barbara Taylor became a science editor and writer at London’s Natural History Museum. Barbara has worked as an editor for a number of London publishers and has written over 120 award winning children’s information books and encyclopaedias.

One of UK libraries most borrowed authors, Camilla de la Bedoyere has been writing for 20 years and had over 250 books published. Camilla particularly enjoys writing creative non-fiction and she is a Fellow of the Zoological Society of London. She lives in London, and whenever possible, travels to watch wildlife in action.

Having trained as an infant primary teacher, Catherine Veitch worked as an editor and writer for twenty years in children’s magazines and books. Today, when she’s not walking her Sheltie dog, Arthur, she enjoys writing and creating content for children’s story, puzzle activity and early learning books.

An experienced journalist and author, Clive Gifford has written over 200 engaging and entertaining non-fiction books for children and young adults. Clive has travelled through over 70 countries, formed a computer games company, and was once the top scorer at the European Indoor Ultimate Frisbee Championships!

Born in Belfast, Ian Graham worked as a magazine journalist and editor in London, before becoming a freelance writer and moving to rural Norfolk. He has since written more than 240 books, specialising in illustrated non-fiction for children and teens. 

Born in Dorking, Surrey, Phillip Steele writes exciting non-fiction for children about history, famous lives, social issues, current affairs, and lands and peoples. Phillip now lives on the Isle of Anglesey, in North Wales, which he has written several books for adults about. 

Having graduated from the Faculty of Graphics at the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow, Ela Smietanka combines pencils, paints and Photoshop in her work.

Born in Mar del Plata, Argentina, Elissambura has been captivated by images, stories, colours, animals, books, and above all her own imagination since she was a child.

Currently living and working in Lisbon, Portugal, Jean Claude is a self-taught illustrator from the UK. He loves making ceramics, visiting the botanical gardens and baking bread.

Born in Texas, USA, Spike Maguire spent his free time copying images from an old Marvel comic as a child due to the lack of entertainment in the town, which is where he discovered his love of illustration. He now lives in Buenos Aires with his girlfriend and three pet dogs.

Having studied Graphic Design, Sophia Touliatou is now an award-winning children’s illustrator. Her work can be found all over the world, including the US, Japan and Australia.

Having earned a masters in marine biology from the university of Copenhagen, Mette Engell began illustrating after her first child was born – and hasn’t stopped since! 

Inspired by the use of vibrant colour, Diane Ewen creates illustrations that are hand-drawn in pencil before painting in watercolour and acrylics and embellishing them using Photoshop.

Born in Rangoon, Myanmar, Nila Aye arrived in the UK at the age of three, and spent most of her childhood dreaming and drawing pictures. Nila’s mission is to bring beautifully illustrated books to a new generation of young readers around the world through her work.

Having studied Fine Arts at Salamanca University in Spain, Ana Gomez expresses her creativity through illustrations, sharing the humour and joy she finds inside. She takes her inspiration from children… they are a goldmine!

Inspired by everyday life and the quirky details that surround us, Tony Neal loves to create charming characters in whimsical scenes and tell stories with his pictures.

Having graduated from the North Wales School of Art and Design in 2000, Paul Nicholls currently lives on the Welsh coast, where he shares a studio with his partner and fellow illustrator, Melanie Mitchell.

When drawing, Steven Wood’s main focus is bringing life and movement to his pictures through a cast of characters. He lives in North London and works from a little studio in his house.

Having studied 3D animation at university, Chris Jevons worked as a graphic designer and 2D animator. He now illustrates picture books and fiction titles for a living. 

Based in Nottinghamshire, Lucy Semple graduated with a degree from Loughborough University in Graphic Communication and Illustration. When she isn’t illustrating she enjoys baking, drinking tea and watching films with her partner and daughter.

A designer and illustrator from Plymouth, UK, Jack Viant is inspired by picture books, packaging, toys, advertising campaigns aimed at children, and the 90s cartoons he grew up with.

Born in San Sebastian, Spain, Leire Martin worked as a 3D artist for 3 years before following her passion of becoming an illustrator. She is a stationery lover, and could easily spend a whole day browsing for art supplies!

Based in New Jersey, Mike Moran’s clients have included Disney, Major League Baseball, the Grammys and many more. One day he hopes to become the 5th Beatle!

Born in Surrey in 1977, Tim Budgen is a freelance illustrator with a passion for character design and storytelling. He lives with his wife by the sea on Hayling Island with their pets Baxter the cockapoo and Alfie the cat.

A freelance illustrator based in London, Daniel Rieley is inspired by French cinema, hiking in remote landscapes, wild animals, surfing and the ocean.

As a young child, Richard Watson was an avid reader who loved to immerse himself in books, particularly those of Quentin Blake and Roald Dahl. He began working as an illustrator soon after leaving the Lincoln University School of Art and Design in 2003.

Best known for her colourful pre-school and novelty formats, Ailie Busby studied Graphic Design and then specialised in Illustration at the Cambridge School of Art.

A children’s book author, illustrator and designer, Zoe Waring is based in Newcastle upon Tyne. She has previously worked as a Senior Designer for some of the leading publishers in the UK. 

Taking inspiration from her family, dog, cat, animals, toys and music, Liza Lewis loves all illustration and enjoys creating bright characters and icons that fill a child’s imagination. 

Originally from Spain, Jorge Martin has lived in San Francisco, Mexico City, Hamburg, and London. He writes and illustrates books, runs picture book courses and draws live at conferences and events. He has also cycled to Mongolia!