Katya Balen read English at university and then completed an MPhil researching the impact of stories on autistic children's behaviour.

She has worked in a variety of special needs schools as a teaching assistant, and more recently co-founded Mainspring Arts - a not-for-profit that provides mentoring and creative opportunities for neurodivergent adults.

Rachael Dean is a UK based freelance illustrator, who lives on the coast near Liverpool. She studied Graphic Design and Illustration at Liverpool John Moore's University, and graduated in 2017 with a First Class Honours degree. Rachael works traditionally painting images which are vivid and bold. She has a penchant for pattern but her real passion lies in the outdoors and travelling.

She loves to gather inspiration from beautiful scenes of nature, which is often reflected in her work. Rachael's clients include Andersen Press, Chicken House, Nosy Crow, Egmont, Puffin and Penguin Random House US.