Geraldine McCaughrean was born and educated in Enfield, North London. Only in 1988 did she become a full-time writer. Since then, Geraldine has established herself as one of the most exciting children's writer's today. Seven of her novels have won a major children's book award. The Kite Rider and Stop the Train were both shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal 2001. Gillian Shields is the author of over thirty books for children and teenagers. She studied English at Cambridge and acting in London, then worked for several years in a drama school. Gillian now lives in Sussex and has a son and daughter, a wonderful husband and a very naughty dog. Her picture books include Ben and Gran and the Whole Wide Wonderful World, and Dogfish. She is also the author of the Mermaid SOS series, about a group of magical mermaids who work to protect the sea. Martin Waddell is the Hans Christian Andersen Medal winner 2004 and two-time Smarties Prize winner. Among his many books for children are the Little Bear and Farmer Duck series. Martin lives in Newcastle in County Down.