Zelma was born and raised in Indonesia, and now lives in a small city on the east side of Java island. She studied for a bachelor’s degree in visual communication design and then worked in a small studio, before starting her illustration career. She loves to explore the colourful details of buildings, nature and family interactions in her work. Eid for Nylah is her picture book debut.
Nizrana Farook was born and raised in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and the beautiful landscapes of her home country find their way into the stories she writes. She has a master’s degree in writing for young people, and lives with her family in Hertfordshire.
Kirsty was born in Essex and grew up in Hampshire. She has had a wide variety of jobs including bookselling, railway re-signalling, picking stones off conveyor belts, putting lids on perfume bottles and teaching Pilates. She now lives with her husband on top of a hill in Winchester.
Sahar Haghgoo was born and raised in Iran, though she now lives in London. She studied graphic design and illustration at the University of Tehran and loves drawing and nature.
Dr Punam Krishan is a GP. She has always been fascinated by people’s stories and finds a lot of joy in helping others feel better. From teeny tiny babies all the way to the grannies and grandpas, Dr Krishan is there to make sure her patients as are as healthy as they can be! As well as science, Dr Krishan also loved drama and English at school and so years after becoming a doctor, she used those interests to make medicine even more exciting for herself by working as a TV doctor, doing radio shows, having her own podcast and even writing a book in order to help millions of people feel better, live healthier lives and feel inspired about their health and wellbeing.
When she is not working, Dr Krishan loves spending her time with her husband, her two kids and her dog called Simba. They spend their weekends finding new adventure trails in the beautiful Scottish outdoors. Dr Krishan loves dancing and it doesn’t matter where she is, if music comes on – she will embarrass her kids and dance like nobody is watching!
Sarah Todd Taylor was brought up in Yorkshire and Wales surrounded by books and cats. She discovered the theatre when she was a teenager and was instantly hooked, appearing in over 20 musicals in her hometown as well as helping out backstage. In her spare time she likes to sing opera in wonderful dresses, and she shares her home with her fabulous husband, two guinea pigs and a hamster.
Charlotte Trounce is a freelance Illustrator currently living in London. Since graduating from University College Falmouth, she has worked on a wide variety of projects including publishing, packaging and product design. When she’s not painting, Charlotte enjoys reading, pilates and meticulously planning her next trip away.
Born in the wild and windy north, Nicola began her career as an usher, but life by the big screen was too heady and too fast. Instead, she chose to study Illustration in Buckinghamshire, where she developed a passion for children’s books that far surpassed her love of popcorn. She has since had books published here and in the United States, which include Best Friends, Spot a Lot, and Leaping Lemmings. Nicola lives with her family in Cheshire, close to the local cinema where she likes to occasionally lurk in the foyer.
Susannah Lloyd is the author of picture books Who Ate Steve?, Here Be Giants, Here Be Dragons, Oh Monty!, This Book Can Read Your Mind, and The Terribly Friendly Fox.
Her books have been translated into ten languages.
She loves reading stories, especially the ones you find in children’s books. Libraries and bookshops are her happy place.
Her favourite book from childhood was ‘Trubloff, The Mouse Who Wanted To Play The Balalaika‘, by John Burningham. It made her want to play the balalaika too, but, alas, she still cannot. Her favourite food is trifle and her favourite words are ‘in cahoots’ and ‘hullabaloo’.
She wrote her first ever book when she was five, on her kitchen table, with the help of a large pot of felt tip pens and a stapler. It was about a fox, a wolf, a crow and a stolen balloon. It had a very mysterious ending. This was followed by an ambitious murder mystery series, started aged 11, abandoned aged 12. She is now making up for lost time.
Her books are inspired by old black and white movies, dusty stuffed animals in museums and all things small in the world.
Polly Faber lives in London with her husband, sons, and two black and white cats called Alan and Babs. She worked as a midwife and a sandwich maker before becoming a writer, and has also mashed potatoes for Prince Edward’s dinner. Her best impression is of a tortoise eating a strawberry.
Klas is an award-winning illustrator who has years of experience working in advertising, design and publishing. He lives in Stockholm with his family. Building a Home and Special Delivery are his first children’s books.
Jana Curll is an illustrator/author living on the edge of Canada’s rainy west coast. Growing up near-sighted and comic book-obsessed has lent itself well to a career where she draws smiley-faces on unsuspecting objects. She began her career over 15 years ago after completing the Illustration and Design program at Capilano University and quickly shifted into the magical world of children’s illustration. Her work has appeared internationally in books, magazines, toys and maps.