Jan Ormerod was born in Australia and as a child divided her time between standing on her head, reading and drawing. She trained as a designer, and worked as a teacher in schools, teachers' colleges and art schools until the birth of her first daughter, when she began to write and illustrate children's books. Her first picture book, Sunshine (1981), won the Mother Goose Award and the Australian Picture Book of the Year, and was also listed as an American Library Association Notable Book in the USA. It was republished by Frances Lincoln Children's Books in 2004. Jan has illustrated over 60 picture books, won many honours and awards, and is published in 21 countries. Lindsey Gardiner graduated in Printed Textiles in 1996 and went on to do an MA at Winchester School of Art. She works from her studio in a former jute mill in Dundee which she shares with her high-maintenance but lovable dogs, Lola and Yuki. Lindsey is also a part-time teacher in textiles at the art college in Dundee.