Joan G. Robinson (1910-88) trained as an illustrator and began writing and illustrating her own stories in 1939. Among her many stories for children are Mary-Mary, When Marni Was There and the enduringly popular Teddy Robinson. Working closely with her husband, she published over thirty books in her lifetime, many of which were tried and tested on her own family. And her family sometimes found their way into her stories too - Teddy Robinson is a real teddy bear, belonging to Joan's own daughter, Deborah, who herself features in the stories.