Russell Hoban is the author of many acclaimed novels for grown-ups, including Turtle Diary and Riddley Walker. He once described himself as "an addict to writing" and wrote more than 50 books for children, including such classics as Bedtime for Frances, How Tom Beat Captain Najork and His Hired Sportsmen and The Sea-Thing Child. Born in Pennsylvania in 1925, he moved to London in 1969, where he lived until his death in 2011.

Alexis Deacon's first picture book, Slow Loris was shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Award. His
second, Beegu, was shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Award and selected by the New York Times
as one of the year's best illustrated children's books. In 2008, he was chosen as one of the Booktrust's ten Best New Illustrators. A Place to Call Home (9781406323023), illustrated by Viviane Schwarz, was nominated for the 2011 Roald Dahl Funny prize. He lives in London, SE15.