Axel Scheffler is a star illustrator whose instantly recognisable, warm and witty illustrations have achieved worldwide acclaim and numerous awards. Axel is the illustrator of wonderful novelty, gift and poetry books for Macmillan, such as Fish Who Dream of Trees (Two Hoots) and the bestselling The Bedtime Bear, The Tickle Book and Mother Goose's Nursery Rhymes - and of course, he is the illustrator of some of the world's best-loved picture books, including modern classics The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child, which together have sold over 17 million copies worldwide. Axel's artwork is exhibited internationally; he has illustrated for many charities and designed the Royal Mail Christmas stamps in 2012. Born in Hamburg, Axel now lives with his family in London.