Jamila Gavin was born in Mussoorie, India, in the foothills of the Himalayas. With an Indian father and an English mother, she inherited two rich cultures which ran side by side throughout her life, and which always made her feel she belonged to both countries. The family finally settled in England where Jamila completed her schooling, was a music student, worked for the BBC and became a mother of two children. It was then that she began writing children's books, and felt a need to reflect the multi-cultural world in which she and her children now lived.

Rachel Cloyne has always loved drawing. Since completing her illustration degree in 2004 she has illustrated book jackets, colouring books, children's fiction and a pop-up book for several publishers over the last 8 years.

Her latest work for Nosy Crow, inspired by objects from the British Museum, utilizes her ability for incorporating a wide range of classic and historical design into a contemporary style all of her own.

She lives in Brighton with her husband and two cats. In her spare time she likes to swim in the Brighton sea, tend to her many plants and cook up recipes for her friends and family.