Biographical note

Award-winning author Adèle Geras spent much of her childhood moving from place to place. To date Adèle has written over 100 books for children, including the bestselling 'The Ballet Class' for Orchard and the highly acclaimed 'Troy' (Scholastic) which was shortlisted for The Whitbread Prize. A great deal of her poetry has been published in various magazines and anthologies. She lives just outside Cambridge with her husband. Shelagh McNicholas was born and grew up in Liverpool. She went on to study at Kingston University where she graduated with a BA (Hons) in Graphic Design & Illustration. Apart from a short time spent teaching life drawing, Shelagh has always worked as an illustrator as well as being a full time mum to her daughter, Molly. 'The Ballet Class' written by Adele Geras, was Shelagh's first picture book for Orchard Books. Her realistic and endearing illustrations perfectly complement the story of Tilly and her ambitions to become a top ballerina. Shelagh is passionate about drawing and is happiest with her sketchbook and pencils. Her favourite subject is her daughter and it was her sketches of Molly as a ballerina that inspired her illustrations for 'The Ballet Class'. Shelagh lives in Surrey with her daughter.