Ailsa Wild is an acrobat, whip cracker and teaching artist who wants to run away from the circus to become a writer. This is her first foray into the world of junior fiction, and it is simply spectacular. As soon as you pick up Squishy Taylor you’ll know it’s an Ailsa Wild book because you’ll never have read anything quite like it before.

Ailsa perfectly captures the nature of the curious and mischievous Squishy Taylor and conveys the frantic excitement and unbridled joy that is unique to childhood. She weaves a world so relatable and warmhearted, you’ll reflect back on the stories again and again.

Ben Wood is the hugely talented illustrator responsible for bringing Squishy Taylor to life in illustration! Ben has been illustrating kid’s books for over a decade and has worked with many Australian authors, including the likes of Margaret Wild.

Ben’s charming and expressive illustrations capture Squishy’s cheeky confidence and laidback nature. The vibrancy and energy that Ben puts into all his work perfectly mirrors Ailsa’s writing style – his detailed, movement-filled internal illustrations are the ideal companion to these wonderful stories.

Fun fact: A twin himself, Ben completely relates to Squishy’s relationship with her twin step-sisters, giving him an extra-special insight into this family dynamic!