Jill lives with her husband in West Sussex, where she loves being near the sea. She has two grown-up children and five grandchildren. She used to be a teacher and now regularly helps in her local school. Jill has loved books ever since she can remember and often read by torchlight under the bedclothes long after her mum told her to go to sleep. She has always enjoyed writing stories, and began storytelling when her two younger brothers were small. Her first book was published over 20 years ago and she’s had more than 70 books published so far, and counting! Author of: Peck, Hen, Peck! and Ben’s Pet, Ned in Bed and Fun at the Park, Tag! and In Pip's Bag and The Pop Puffin Barbara started drawing on the kitchen walls at a very early age, moving to paper at the very first occasion. Her parents were not so keen on repainting walls so very often and quickly introduced her to sketchbooks and beautifully illustrated picture books. After a degree in Modern History and working in Medieval Archeology she decided to become a professional illustrator. This happened quite a long time ago. In the meantime she had the fortune of illustrating lots of picture books, published in Italy, United Kingdom, USA, Korea, New Zeland and with coeditions all around the world. Apart from illustrating books she does refurbishing of children’s areas in cruiser liners, workshops and book presentations for primary school children and teachers. Illustrator of: Peck, Hen, Peck! and Ben's Pet