Robert Vescio loves to read and is a self-confessed hoarder of books, especially children’s books. Robert enjoys writing stories and sharing his passion with children of all ages. Robert has worked in the publishing industry for more than 12 years as a Production Manager and a Photo Editor, working on a number of photographic magazines. He enjoyed sourcing photographic material from world-renowned photographers the ilkes of Mario Testino, Annie Leibovitz, Patrick Demarchelier and Jean-Baptiste Mondino. Two of his picture books, Finn and Puss and Eric Finds A Way were shortlisted in the 2018 CBCA Bilby Awards. Many of his short stories have been published in anthologies such as Packed Lunch, Short and Twisted, Charms Vol 1, The Toy Chest and The School Magazine NSW. He has won awards for his children’s writing including First Place in the 2012 Marshall Allan Hill Children’s Writing Competition and Highly Commended in the 2011 Marshall Allan Hill Children’s Writing Competition. Robert is a Books in Homes Role Model and enjoys visiting schools. His aim is to enthuse and inspire children to read and write and leave them bursting with imaginative ideas. .Robert is a BIG kid at heart! He is a huge fan of Disney and loves animation. He lives in Sydney and enjoys spending time with his children, who are an endless source of inspiration.

Joanna Bartel is a designer and illustrator. Previously, she has been a graphic designer for a boutique fashion label, a senior art and design teacher and an English teacher in Melbourne and Brisbane, and a copywriter and graphic designer in marketing. Now she brings her experience in Arts education, design, teaching and creative marketing to her illustration work! Joanna particularly loves character design and creating imaginative and playful images to engage children and enhance imaginative learning. While growing up, Joanna loved books, reading to her younger brothers, and writing and illustrating her own stories. Art, Design and English were always her favourite subjects at school and these interests guided her university studies and pursuit of varied roles in the creative industries. Joanna moved to Brisbane with her husband for his work in 2013 and, since becoming a mother to two small children, is now balancing family life with her other great loves of drawing and writing.