Biographical note

Elena Pasquali (Author) Elena Pasquali worked for some years in children's publishing before becoming an author in her own right. She has a special interest in researching and retelling folk tales from around the world. She enjoys exploring new cultures and learning new languages that will help her understand those cultures better. Alison Jay (Illustrator) Alison Jay graduated with a first-class degree in illustration from the London College of Printing. She worked in animation before moving on to children's illustration. She is well known for her beautiful children's books illustrations and has been nominated for the Kate Greenaway prize four times. She won the Transworld Children's Book Award in the AOI Images Best of British illustration. Alison works in alkyd paint, which is a quick drying oil paint. Sometimes, she coats the illustration with layers of varnish to give the illustrations an aged crackled effect.