Paul Gallico(1897–1976) was born in New York City and studied at Columbia University. After serving in the First World War he became a journalist with the New York Daily News where he enjoyed particular acclaim for his sports writing.

In 1936 Paul Gallico moved to Salcombe in South Devon where he became a full time writer, living in a house on a hill with his Great Dane and twenty-three cats. He became a notable war correspondent during the Second World War.

Among Paul Gallico’s best known books are The Snow Goose (1941), a classic story of Dunkirk, and The Poseidon Adventure (1969), which was made into a very successful film. His magical stories about animals, particularly cats, are enduring favourites. These include Jennie (1950) and Thomasina (1957).

Angela Barrett is a hugely talented and internationally acclaimed figure in illustration. She completed a Masters Degree at the Royal College of Art, where she was taught by Quentin Blake.

Her first title, The King, The Cat and The Fiddle, was runner-up in the Mother Goose Award in 1984. Since then, Angela has illustrated numerous titles and won many awards for her work, including the Kate Greenaway Medal in 1993 for Beware, Beware! She lives and works in London.