Mara Bergman grew up in Wantagh, Long Island, USA, and knew at an early age that she wanted to be a writer. Her poems have been published in many magazines, and she received a Writer's Bursary from South East Arts UK for 1995/6, as well as prizes in several poetry competitions. Mara has always felt a strong link between poetry and picture books, and she began to write for children when her own were young. She now works in London as a children's fiction editor and lives in Tunbridge Wells with her family and their many pets. Nick graduated in English & Drama from London University in 1981. He pursued a career in the theatre - acting and directing in the London fringe and, during this time, devloped an interest in drawing, which soon took over as a full-time career. He was shortlisted for the Mother Goose Award in 1996 (for Welcome Night) and the Children's Book Award in 1998 (for Brave Whale). Parenting Magazine in America gave Big Blue Whale an award. He has a daughter and a son and lives in London.