Chris Ashley, the son of children's book writer Bernard Ashley, was born in south-east London and his childhood was dominated by sport and children's books. He trained as a teacher and began writing in the 1980s. He is the head teacher of a school in Bury.
Kate Pankhurst graduated from the University of Central Lancashire with a degree in illustration. She was the highest placed graduate in a national student competition, The Macmillan Prize for Children's Book Illustration in 2002. Since then she has illustrated several books including Captain Pike Looks After the Baby by Marjorie Newman and Who's a Cheeky Baby? by Ian Whybrow. She has also illustrated Wasim One Star and Wasim the Wanderer for Frances Lincoln Publishers. Having completed her Masters in Children's Book illustration, Kate also lectures part-time at UCLan. She currently lives in Leeds.