Biographical note

Dick King-Smith (1922–2011) is one of the world's favourite children's book authors. He won the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize for The Sheep-Pig (later filmed as Babe), he was named Children's Book Author of the Year in 1991 and won the 1995 Children's Book Award for Harriet's Hare. In addition to the Sophie series, his titles for Walker include The Finger-Eater, Aristotle, The Twin Giants and two books about a very special pig: Lady Lollipop and Clever Lollipop.

Hannah studied illustration at the University of Brighton and graduated in 2004. She has since created a number of critically acclaimed award-winning children’s books, including Evil Weasel, which won the Cambridgeshire Children's Picture Book Award. Her recent Stan Stinky series is the first of her own creations for older children. She also illustrated the popular Disgusting Sandwich by Gareth Edwards and The Great Hamster Massacre series by Katie Davies as well as The Fabulous Phartlehorn Affair by ML Peel. Hannah currently lives in Stroud, Gloucestershire. Visit her website at www.hannahshawillustrator.co.uk