Maudie Powell-Tuck has been writing, editing and dreaming about picture books for over 12 years. She has worked in a children’s bookshop and as an editor for a children’s publisher, so she can enthuse about kids books ’til the cows come home. When not writing or editing, Maudie can be found pootling around charity shops with her kids, reading, and watching embarrassingly trashy reality tv. She is forever losing her hearing aids and has dropped her phone 1,345,566 times. Miraculously it still works.
Linsey Kim began her career in animation before leaping into children's books. She now spends her days illustrating, wandering museums, and practicing wobbly yoga poses. At home in Atlanta, she shares her studio with her dog, Bepo, who insists on being part of every sketch.
Laura Borio used to draw on the kitchen walls as a child, to the delight of her parents. Once she realised that she liked drawing on paper more, she decided to become a children’s book illustrator, and now her days are filled with sketches, colours, cats and raspberry jam croissants.
Joëlle Dreidemy was born in Saint-Avold in France. She gained a diploma in Strasbourg in 2002 and a diploma from the famous Emile Cohl School in Lyon in 2004. Joëlle lives and works in Montpellier, producing illustrations for magazines and children’s books.
Julia Christians was born in 1984 and got her diploma in Communications Design at the University of Art in Brunswick in 2011. Since 2018 she has worked as a freelance illustrator. Julia lives in the deep, dark forest of the Harz Mountains, Germany, with her husband, two kids and a pack of dogs.
Jane Massey studied graphic design at Kingston University. She worked for several design agencies in London and Hong Kong before concentrating on illustration. As well as producing numerous children’s books, Jane has also created illustrations for advertising, greetings cards and packaging. Jane lives with her family by the sea in Hove.
Guy Bass is an award-winning author who has written more than 30 books, including the best-selling STITCH HEAD series, DINKIN DINGS, SPYNOSAUR and SKELETON KEYS. He lives in London with his wife. Find out more at guybass.com | @GuyBassBooks
Holly Webb is one of Britain’s best-loved children’s writers. She has written over a hundred books for children and her work has been translated into over thirty languages. Holly lives in Tilehurst, just outside of Reading, Berkshire, with her husband, three children and several cats. Visit www.holly-webb.com or @HollyKateWebb.
Hazel Quintanilla has been drawing since she was a little girl, when she used to carry a pencil and a small notebook around in a cute furry bear face bag bought for her by her mum. She also carried cheese strings in it! She really loves dogs and illustrating with bold colours and cute shapes.
Harriet's first word was 'book', and she's loved stories ever since, so it's a dream come true to end up writing her own. When not writing, Harriet works in television. But she's happiest with a pencil in one hand, a cup of tea in the other, brewing up her next story.
