Veronika Martenova Charles was born behind the Iron Curtain in Prague, Czechosloavakia. As a teenager Veronika formed a pop act with a friend and learned to sing Western rock and roll. On a return trip from a tour in Cuba she stepped from her plane as it refueled in Gander, Newfoundland, and decided to stay in Canada. She studied at Ryerson University and the Ontario College of Art. Since 1991 Veronika has been writing and illustrating children's books full-time.