Schoolteacher and journalist Julia Jarman has written over 80 books for children. She lives near Bedford and has three grown-up children. She now devotes a lot of time to school and library visits. Susan Varley is a prize-winning artist who has illustrated many books for Andersen Press. Her bestselling picture book Badger's Parting Gifts is one of the most enduring of all time, winning many prizes, including the Mother Goose Award. She lives in Staffordshire and has one daughter.