Michael Morpurgo is one of Britain's best-loved writers for children and has won many prizes, including the Whitbread Prize, the Red House Children's Book Award and the Blue Peter Book Award. From 2003 to 2005 he was the Children's Laureate, a role which took him all over the UK to promote literacy and reading, and in 2005 he was named the Booksellers Association Author of the Year.

Michael Foreman is one of the most talented and popular illustrators of children's books today. Twice winner of the Kate Greenaway medal, his highly acclaimed books are published all over the world. He has illustrated over 300 books, many of which he has written himself. He frequently collaborates with 'the other Michael'.