Russell Hoban was the renowned author of many famous novels, including Turtle Diary (which was made into a film starring Ben Kingsley and Glenda Jackson) and Riddley Walker, which won the John W. Campbell Award for science fiction. He also wrote over 50 children's books, including such classics as The Mouse and His Child, Bedtime for Frances, How Tom Beat Captain Najork and The Sea-Thing Child. Born in Pennsylvania in 1925, he moved to London in 1969, and spent the rest of his life there. Alexis Deacon's first picture book Slow Loris was shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Award. His second Beegu was shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Award and selected by the New York Times as one of the year's best illustrated children's books. In 2008, he was chosen as one of the Booktrust's ten Best New Illustrators. About illustrating Jim's Lion, Alexis says, "I wanted the reader to see the choices Jim makes in his dreams. Will he turn and run or will he keep on walking?" Alexis lives in London, SE15. Visit his website at www.alexisdeacon.co.uk