Authors and illustrators

Alejandra Ruiz is an illustrator, visual storyteller, and creative explorer. She was born in Bogotá, but grew up in the small city of Manizales. With a love of animals, nature, and most importantly, her Colombian heritage, she includes a lot of these elements in her work. Alejandra loves the colour green and is an avid reader and coffee lover. When she is not working you can find her cooking, baking, reading, or cuddling with her cats.

Ailie Busby has been illustrating children's books for over 30 years. She lives in Newcastle upon Tyne with her family and two scruffy Fox terriers Dougal and Betty. She collects vintage children's books, knitted toys, and is most happiest walking in the woods.

Alessia was born in southern Italy in 1990 but grew up in Rome, where she still lives. She has wanted to be an illustrator since she was a child but she hasn’t excluded the possibility of becoming an astronaut. After graduating in 2013 with an Animation Degree from the International School of Comics in Rome, Alessia has worked as background artist for some of the most important animation studios in Italy. She currently works as a freelance artist on various animation and illustration projects.

Alex Patrick has had a lifelong love for cartoons, picture books and comics, which has shaped him into the children's book illustrator he is today. He lives in Devon with his partner and stepson, and when it's sunny enjoys going to the beach and walking around in the countryside.

Adam Douglas-Bagley is an illustrator and storyteller from South London with a deep passion for creating fantastical worlds and populating them with an array of whimsical characters. He has always created illustrations with a story in mind and many of the books Adam read as a child still heavily inspire his work today. He hopes to one day inspire the next generation of illustrators to pick up a pencil and start spinning their own tales. Adam won a Commended place in the 2020 FAB Prize.