Alan was born in Watford and went to university in Bangor, North Wales, where he studied English and Drama. He started working life in a travelling theatre company, visiting schools all over the country & writing much of their material.

Alan later trained as a drama teacher at Nottingham University , but most of his work in connection with the theatre has been as a writer or director. Other jobs have included working as an editor and working in a day centre. He has written stories and dramas for the BBC.

Francesca Gambatesa is a children's book illustrator and animation designer who was born in Beirut. She has lived in Rome, Istanbul and London.

She has worked with many publishers including Egmont, HarperCollins, Penguin Random House Young Readers, Usborne and also companies such as the BBC and Greenpeace.