Sally Rippin is a best-selling and beloved author for children, and the eighth Australian Children's Laureate. Her most popular series include Billie B Brown, Hey Jack! and School of Monsters, and she has over 10 million books in print worldwide. She has also written one book for adults: Wild Things: How We Learn to Read and What Can Happen If We Don’t.
As the Australian Children’s Laureate, Sally promotes the importance and transformational power of reading, creativity and story in the lives of young Australians. She is passionate about literacy and access to stories, and travels across the world speaking with parents, teachers and librarians about how to engage struggling readers.
Illustrator Aki Fukuoka always tries to find the magic around her. Born in Japan, Aki moved to Auckland at eight, where she has lived ever since. Aki graduated from the Elam School of Fine Arts and has illustrated over 80 books, including award-winning children's picture books, chapter books and educational titles. Her work has also featured in magazines, t-shirt designs, stationary, posters and murals.