Ben Mantle began his illustration career early on, picking up his first award in a local library colouring-in competition aged seven. He went on to study Animation at the Surrey Institute of Art & Design before working as an animator. Ben illustrated Callum's Incredible Construction Kit for Egmont which won the 2013 Bishop's Stortford Picture Book Award. He is also the illustrator of Giggle, Giggle What's So Funny? (Campbell) as well as Bigger Digger and Rocket Racers for Random House, plus a number of bath and musical novelty books for Usborne including Hippity, Hoppity, Splash! The Best Birthday Present Ever! is Ben's author debut picture book for Macmillan. Being a twin, Ben's best birthday present is one he doesn't have to share with his brother - although they did get matching shellsuits one year which were pretty awesome! Ben lives and works in Brighton.