Carlo Collodi (1826–1890) was the pen name of Carlo Lorenzini. The Florence native took the name of his mother's native village, where he attended school.

Collodi served in the Tuscan army during the Italian wars of independence and founded a satirical weekly, Il Lampione.

The author of novels, plays, and political sketches, he translated Charles Perrault's fairy tales from the French, and in 1881 his Storia di un burratino (Story of a Puppet) was published in installments in the Giornale per i bambini, appearing two years later in book form as The Adventures of Pinocchio.

Axel Scheffler is a star illustrator whose instantly recognizable, warm and witty illustrations have achieved worldwide acclaim and numerous awards.

In addition to his picture books, Axel is the illustrator of wonderful novelty and gift books for Macmillan, such as The Tickle Book and Mother Goose's Nursery Rhymes.