Elys grew up in a part of Sussex that consists almost entirely of trees and cows and she was named after a department store in Wimbledon. She's never let either of these things hold her back and Elys graduated with distinction from the MA in Children's Book Illustration at the Cambridge School of Art. Elys has since written and illustrated several hilarious picture books, including Weasels (Nosy Crow) and The Clockwork Dragon , written by JonathanEmmett (OUP). Working predominately with ink, newfangled digital witchcraft and coloured pencils of which she is the proud owner of 178 but can never seem to find a sharpener, Elys has already been shortlisted for TheRoald Dahl Funny Prize, shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize , and nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal!.