L. Frank Baum (Author) Frank L. Baum (1856-1919) was born in New York. He enjoyed making up stories, particularly for his own children. The Wizard of Oz, based on their favourite bedtime story about a land of Oz, was published in 1900 and it immediately became a huge international success. He wrote several sequels and numerous other kinds of books under a pseudonym. David McKee (Illustrator) David McKee was born and brought up in South Devon, where he went from grammar school to Plymouth Art College. Whilst still at college he started selling one-off cartoons to newspapers and on graduation, he began to contribute to such publications as Punch , Times Education Supplement and the Reader's Digest .

His first book, Two Can Toucan was published in 1964 and since then he has written and illustrated numerous children's books. His books include the popular best-selling Elmer series, Not Now Bernard and King Rollo . David also illustrates for a number of other writers including Michael Bond's Paddington Bear.