Award-winning author Ad?le Geras has written over 100 books for children, including the highly acclaimed Troy (Scholastic) which was shortlisted for The Whitbread Prize. Apart from being a voracious reader, Ad?le is also a self-confessed knitter and moviegoer. She has two daughters and lives in Manchester with her husband. Shelagh McNicholas was born and grew up in Liverpool. She went on to study Graphic Design & Illustration at Kingston University. 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.