Maree Coote is a writer, designer, illustrator, and photographer. Her many creative passions converge in her sense of place and history which she brings to life through stunningly visual books for a wide range of audiences. She is the author of two gold award winning histories The Melbourne Book and The Art of Being Melbourne , and is the author and illustrator of eight children's picture books including When You Go To Melbourne , Spellbound , Alphabet City Zoo, and The Black Pot Belly.