Michael Bond was born in Newbury, Berkshire on 13 January 1926 and educated at Presentation College, Reading.

He served in the Royal Air Force and the British Army before working as a cameraman for BBC TV for 19 years.

In 2015, Michael was awarded a CBE for his services to children's literature, to add to the OBE he received in 1997.

Catherine Rayner is an author and illustrator of children's picture books. She studied Illustration at Edinburgh College of Art where, for her final degree show, she created what would go on to be her debut picture book.

She is winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal and Booktrust's Best New Illustrator Award, and, in 2010, was the inaugural illustrator in residence at the Edinburgh International Book Festival.

As well as producing award-winning picture books, Catherine also exhibits her artwork in galleries all over the world and illustrates her own range of greeting cards.