Authors and illustrators

Yumi Stynes is a second-gen Japanese-Australian TV and radio presenter who’s worked in media for almost two decades. She’s currently the host of Ladies, We Need to Talk an award-winning podcast that explores all the trickiest topics and taboos about women’s health.

Tony Neal’s passion for art has led to a blooming career in children’s book illustration. He is currently living in the South Leicestershire countryside. When not working, he enjoys a spot of fishing, playing guitar and hanging out with friends and family.

Valerio Vidali is an Italian illustrator and picture book author. His book The Forest was a New York Time’s Best Illustrated book of 2018, as was his book Jemmy Button in 2013. His work has also received the Grand Prix of ILUSTRARTE, the International Biennal of Illustration; the CJ Picture Book Award and various honours. His latest book Hundred is nominated for the German Children’s Literature Award. Valerio lives and works in Porto, Portugal.

Timothy Knapman has been writing for children for over ten years. His books, which have been translated into 15 languages, include the best-selling Mungo and the Picture Book Pirates and Dinosaurs in the Supermarket. Timothy also writes plays and the words for musicals. He does lots of school visits and bookshop readings and his hobbies include swashbuckling. He is based near Walton-on-Thames, Surrey.

Tina was born in Edinburgh, and raised in southern England where she still lives today.

After graduating from John Moores University with a BA Hons in illustration, Tina worked as a graphic designer before going freelance in 2001.

Tina’s first picture book was ‘One Snowy Night’, about a Little Hedgehog in a red bobble hat which spawned an international, best-selling series.