Irena Kobald is a multi-lingual Austrian immigrant to Australia, who teaches aboriginal children in Australian outback communities (the closest shop is 250 kms away!). She has a Master's degree in Russian. Freya Blackwood was born in Edinburgh and grew up in Australia, where she now lives with her daughter Ivy. She began illustrating picture books in 2002 and has since been shortlisted for, and won many prestigious awards, including the Kate Greenaway Medal in 2010 for Harry and Hopper.