Desmond Tutu. The first black Archbishop of Cape Town, Tutu has won the Nobel Peace Prize for his leadership of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission and today is Chair of a group of former world leaders, The Elders, which aims to tackle some of the world's most intractable problems.

He has helped calm the political crisis in Kenya and regularly speaks out against Mugabe, Israel, the Iraq War and the Burmese junta, but is also noted for his irrepressible sense of humour and deep spirituality. He lives in South Africa but travels widely.

Nancy Tillman is the author and illustrator of the New York Times bestselling picture book On the Night You Were Born.

Her other books include The Spirit of Christmas and Wherever You Are, My Love Will Find You. A former advertising executive, Tillman now writes and illustrates full-time. She lives in Tualatin, Oregon, in the United States.