Ruth Symons is the author of several children's books, including A Year in the Wild, Christmas Lights, the Paper World series and the Sophie la girafe board books.

When she's not writing and editing, Ruth loves gardening, hiking and hosting elaborate teddy bear tea parties with her young daughter.

After a brief stint as a jazz musician, Mel Matthews decided to pursue an art career and studied fine art and illustration. She secured her first commission immediately after she graduated and has been working full time as an illustrator ever since.

Her work is a playful exploration of colour, shape and texture. She has created artwork for books, apps, ads, games, toys, animation, and much more, with clients including Disney, Toys 'R' Us and Saatchi. Busy Recycle, part of the popular Busy Book series, was her first title for Campbell.