Authors and illustrators

Wendy lives in Stafford, England, with her four-year-old daughter Nancy and their two house cats. She loves Scandinavian style design, sunny days and yoga.

Steve Smallman worked as a children’s book illustrator for 20 years before he decided to ‘have a go’ at writing his own. Now, over 100 books later, he’s still at it! He visits schools, libraries and festivals, and paints murals too! When he’s not working, he enjoys holidays, watching TV, gardening and juggling grandchildren!

Sophie lives in London and likes to spend her time eating pizza and reading detective stories. She loves her job in children’s publishing but suspects she would be good at solving mysteries too. On retirement, Sophie plans to open a detective agency by the sea.

Selina Wood has been an editor and writer of children’s books for over 20 years. She has written about everything from pets to time travel. She enjoys singing and gardening and works with a friendly green llama on her desk.

Rosalind Maroney works from her home studio on top of a hill overlooking the houses and sea. She lives with her partner and two children who love picture books as much as she does. Rosalind was originally a Product Designer designing things for kids all over the world, and she’s really happy that she still gets to design toys as well as illustrating books!

Nicola was raised by the seaside in beautiful Brighton. She loves reading, dancing, rhyming and turquoise things. She now lives with her husband and son in East London and spends her days writing and editing children’s books. She has been nominated for the UKLA 2019 award. @NicolaBookFace

Patricia Hegarty is currently the Editorial Director of Caterpillar Books and has written about all kinds of things from trees and bees to ABCs (and she loves to rhyme).

Natalie Marshall is an internationally published illustrator and author. Her unique illustrations can be found worldwide in books for children as well as on greeting cards and wrapping paper, baby nappies, mugs and packs of blueberries! Natalie lives near the beach in Melbourne, Australia with her bike-loving husband and two busy children.