Joy Cowley is a prolific, widely published and much-celebrated writer of fiction for adults and children. She began her career writing short stories and novels, followed by children's literature. She has published numerous novels, as well as short stories in journals, anthologies and in book-length collections. She has written a remarkable range of children's books and stories, often illustrated by renowned artists. Joy Cowley was made a Distinguished Companion of New Zealand Order of Merit for services to children's literature in 2005. Amber Edwards is a self-taught New Zealand artist whose passion is cartooning. This is her first published book.