Bessora is a prize-winning French author of Swiss and Gabonese heritage, deeply committed to telling unheard and suppressed stories. In telling Alpha's story, her aim was to create a strong connection between narrator and reader. She says, Alpha is like your brother, whispering in your ear. You are very close to him. So anyone can identify with Alpha: he raises the question of destiny. Do we take it in hand? What meaning do we give to our life?
Barroux is a French graphic artist best known as an illustrator for children. He grew up in Morocco and has always wanted to create a book representing contemporary Africa. He settled on Alpha when he met an African refugee in his workplace in Paris. Barroux explains, His name was - is - Togola and he came to Alice's Garden with no official papers and unable to work although he had been in France for seven years. And I was talking to him and thinking this is so novelistic, you could make such an incredible book out of this man's story.