Noel Langley was a successful novelist, playwright, screenwriter and director. While under contract to MGM he was one of the scriptwriters for The Wizard of Oz. He was chosen for the job on the basis of his children's story, The Tale of the Land of Green Ginger -- a children's classic which has seldom been out of print since it was first published in 1937. Desbarollda, The Waltzing Mouse is Noel Langley's only other book for children. Though not primarily a children's writer, several of Noel Langley's many filmscripts were based on favourite classics: Tom Brown's Schooldays (1950), Scrooge (1951), Pickwick Papers(scripted & directed 1952), Ivanhoe (1952) and The Prisoner of Zenda (1952). Edward Jeffrey Irving Ardizzone was born in Haiphong, Vietnam but lived most of his life in England. Whilst working as a clerk in the City of London he took evening classes at Westminster School of Art. Edward Ardizzone became a freelance artist in 1927 and although he produced poster, illustrations for magazines, and some oil paintings, it is as a book illustrator that he is best remembered. He was a prolific book illustrator covering a wide range of publications from children's books to novels by Trollope and Thackeray. He was also the author as well as illustrator of many books for children, including the well-loved Little Tim series, starting with Little Tim and the Brave Sea Captain (1936).