Sally Gindley was born in Woolwich and grew up in the Medway Towns. She studied French Literature at Sussex University before working for a national children's book club where she stayed as Editorial Director for 17 years. She has had over 100 books published and has won the Smarties Gold, the Federation of Children's Book Groups Award and the Smarties Prize. She lives in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, with her three sons. Susan Varley is a prize-winning artist who has illustrated many books for Andersen Press. Her bestselling picture book Badger's Parting Gifts is one of the most enduring of all time, winning many prizes, including the Mother Goose Award. She lives in Staffordshire and has one daughter.