Emma Chichester Clark was born in London but grew up in the countryside in Ireland. She studied at the Chelsea School of Art followed by the Royal College of Art where she was taught by Quentin Blake. She has written and illustrated many picture books, including the immensely popular Blue Kangaroo series, and has also produced illustrations for numerous magazines and book jackets. She won the Mother Goose Award in 1988 as the most exciting newcomer to children's book illustration.