Author
Gaynor Andrews
Gaynor is originally from Wales. The epic landscape of her childhood and her adventures teaching around the world can be seen in her incredibly accomplished writing. Gaynor has run several libraries, including one in a red double-decker bus and loves sharing stories with children. She has four children of her own, the youngest of whom leaves blonde hairs on smart black clothes and has a waggy tail. Location: Scotland, UK.
Frances Tosdevin
Frances studied archeology, anthropology and classics at Cambridge, and then worked as a journalist all over the world. Eventually she returned to her childhood love of writing stories, especially picture books which she describes as being, “Like poetry: born to be read aloud. To be tasted, chewed, savoured, and finally swallowed with a satisfying ‘Ah!’ – leaving just enough room, of course, for sneaky second helpings!” Frances lives in Bedfordshire with her husband and their cats.
Lliana Bird
Lliana is a writer, director, actress, podcaster and co-founder of charities Help Refugees and the Kindly Collective. She just happens to also be hilarious. Baboo the Unusual Bee is her debut children’s book.
Paulette Bourgeois
Paulette is best known for creating Franklin the Turtle, the character who appears in the bestselling picture books illustrated by Brenda Clark. The series has sold 60 million copies worldwide, been translated into 38 languages and adapted into an animated television series and feature-length films. She is a member of the Order of Canada, received an honorary doctorate degree from Western University.
Alex G. Griffiths
Alex G Griffiths is a children’s book illustrator from London, UK, who now lives in Canada with his wife and two young children. Much of his work is done by hand, using a combination of pen-and-ink line work and brush textures in a messy way to create an unusual illustration style. Professor Goose Debunks Goldilocks and the Three Bears is his first title for Rocket Bird Books.
Owen Davey
With numerous awards under his belt and clients including Google, WWF, Sony and Lego (amongst many more), Owen has become an iconic figure in cutting-edge children’s illustration. His non-fiction series About Animals with Flying Eye Books has become a worldwide phenomenon. Now based on the south coast with his family, Owen is very much enjoying returning to his his picture book storytelling roots with Can I Come Too? inspired by his two little girls.
Esmé Shapiro
Esmé is an award-winning author and illustrator for children. She grew up amongst the succulents and coyotes of Laurel Canyon, California. Her first book, OOKO (2016), was nominated for a Governor General’s Literary Award. Location: Brooklyn NY, USA.
Binny Talib
Binny’s whimsical, contemporary style and has illustrated over 30 books published all over the world. Her picture book Origami Heart with author Lisa Shanahan was awarded a CBCA honour and a short list medal for the Australian Prime Ministers literary awards.
Binny creates happily on beautiful Sydney harbour with other lovely creative folks drinking copious amounts of dandelion tea and is inspired by her Border Collie. There has never been a dessert she hasn’t liked, seriously.