Authors and illustrators

Penny Dann

Penny Dann loved to draw when she was little and she never gave up! As well as being a children’s book illustrator, Penny has also worked on advertising, editorial and packaging projects, and designed a soft toy. After several years travelling and working overseas, she moved back to Brighton and now lives with her partner Tom, a graphic designer, and a very grumpy cat, Earl. She is best known for illustrating The Secret Fairy series for Orchard Books.

Natalie Sirett

Natalie Sirett is an internationally exhibited, multimedia artist, interested in us, our icons, our stories. Her work has often explored issues of body image culture and the growing pains of adolescence. WHEN SHADOWS FALL is a project shared with Sita Brahmachari over many years and she is delighted that it has come to fruition. Natalie lives and works in London.

Miranda Baker

Miranda lives with her family on the edge of beautiful Dartmoor in Devon. She loves stories, nature and books with both.

Moira Butterfield

Moira Butterfield wrote her first book when she was 8 years old; she glued photos of cats in an exercise book and wrote about them, too. Now she is an internationally published author of children’s fiction and non-fiction. She lives in Bath and writes in a small office opposite a sweet shop.

Natalie Chivers

Natalie gained a First in Illustration from the University of Plymouth and now lives in Farnham, Surrey with her fiancé. She was shortlisted for the 2006 Booktrust Early Years Award for Best New Illustrator. Natalie works in PR and advertising for a food and cake decoration company. When not working or illustrating children’s books, she enjoys running and indulging her love of nature and natural history.

Michael Terry

Michael Terry was born in Folkestone and studied Graphic Design and Illustration at Folkestone Art School. He has since worked as a designer/typographer and has been a successful illustrator for over thirty years, recently illustrating many books for children. Michael lives and works by the coast in England with his partner Lindsey and three children. He also has three grown-up sons.

Mirelle Ortega

Mirelle is a Mexican illustrator, storyteller and concept artist. She often draws inspiration from Latin American cultures, constantly mixing the whimsical and the ordinary in colourful compositions that are both bold and vibrant. www.mirelleortega.com.