Born in Sydenham, Kent, May Gibbs (1877-1969) came to Australia at the age of four. Encouraged by her parents, May drew and painted as a child.

She went on to study Art, both in Western Australia and in England, before settling in Sydney to follow a successful career as a writer and illustrator of children’s books.

During WW1 May produced postcards depicting gumnut babies in uniform to support Australia’s role in the war, and her first books, Gumnut Babies and Gum-Blossom Babies, were published in 1916.

Her most famous book, Tales of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, followed in 1918.