Catherine Barr studied Ecology at Leeds University and trained as a journalist. She worked at Greenpeace International for seven years as a wildlife and forestry campaigner and has a long-running interest in environmental issues.

While working as an editor at the Natural History Museum, she researched and wrote two major summer exhibitions: Dinosaurs of the Gobi Desert and Myths and Monsters. Her previous books for Frances Lincoln are The Story of Life and Elliot's Arctic Surprise.

She lives on a hill near Hay-on-Wye in Herefordshire with her partner and two daughters.

Jean Claude is a freelance illustrator, living and working in Manchester.

He can often be found visiting the zoo for inspiration when drawing animals, and also enjoys long walks with his dog and cooking elaborate meals.

First Stories: Doctor Dolittle is his first title for Campbell Books.