Biographical note

As 50% of the Two Steves, Steve Barlow has written over 160 books with Steve Skidmore since their first appeared in 1988. Born in Crewe, he was educated at Crewe Grammar School, Warwick University and Nottingham University before a varied career in teaching, acting, stage management and puppetry. He worked in a village school in Botswana for four years before returning to the UK. The Two Steves have toured extensively in the UK and overseas, and to book festivals including Edinburgh and Hay. Their work for Hachette includes the popular I Hero choose-your-adventure books, and Classics in Graphics. Steve Skidmore writes with Steve Barlow as Britain's most popular comedy writing and performing double act for young people - The 2 Steves! Steve Skidmore is shorter than Steve Barlow and less hairy. He was born in Birstall near Leicester in England. He went to Nottingham University to read English, but spent most of his time playing sport and doing a variety of jobs including counting pastry pie lids. He trained as a teacher of Drama, English and Film, before teaming up with Steve Barlow as a full-time author. He lives in Leicester and is a great rugby fan (Come on you Tiiigeeers!). Pipi was born in Buenos Aires in the fabulous 60's and has always drawn. As a little child, he used to make plasticine figures too. He took them along to school as a hobby and at the age of 19 he found out he could earn a living by drawing. Pipi started designing humor magazines and was surrounded by the original drawings of many experimented artists. At the same time, he was encouraged to publish his own works. His curiosity lead him from then onwards. Pipi's drawings are usually funny and expressive. He develops cartoons and children's illustration in different artistic styles, and also 3D figures and puppets. He does some caricaturing as well, and he has done character design for animation, key animation and layouts. Pipi listens to music when he works. He loves Zappa, Bowie, Queen and he is fond of Progressive Rock.