Lucy Willow

Sally Gardner is an award-winning novelist from London. Her books have been translated into 22 languages and have sold more than one million copies in the UK. Her historical novel for older readers, I, Coriander, won the Smarties Children's Book Prize in 2005. Two thrillers both set at the time of the French Revolution, The Red Necklace and The Silver Blade, which was shortlisted for the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize in 2009, followed. Actor Dominic West (The Wire) has bought the film rights to both titles. Her YA novel, The Double Shadow, was published in 2011 to critical acclaim. Sally Gardner's stories for middle readers include Lucy Willow and the popular Magical Children series of six titles: The Strongest Girl in the World, The Invisible Boy, The Boy with Magic Numbers, The Smallest Girl in the World, The Boy with the Lightning Feet, and The Boy who could Fly, which are also available as audio books. She has also written and illustrated picture books including The Fairy Catalogue, The Glass Heart, The Book of Princesses and Playtime Rhymes. Sally Gardner continues to be an avid spokesperson for dyslexia, working to change the way it is perceived by society. She is dyslexic and argues that it is not a disability, but a gift. Her website is www.sallygardner.net and you can follow her on Twitter @TheSallyGardner

Peter Bailey has been illustrating books for more than 35 years and has worked with many of today's best known authors, including Philip Pullman, Allan Ahlberg, Michael Morpurgo and Joan Aiken. He lives near Liverpool with his wife, Sian, who is also an illustrator.

After the Anna Scher Theatre School and some professional stage roles, Dexter Fletcher landed the part of Babyface in the film of BUGSY MALONE, aged ten. He has starred in PRESS GANG, LOCK, STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS, and appeared in Mike Leigh's TOPSY TURVY and Stephen Spielberg's BAND OF BROTHERS. Most recently on television he appeared as the Earl of Leicester in THE VIRGIN QUEEN, and as Tony the concierge in comedy drama HOTEL BABYLON. He has performed in many radio dramas for BBC Radios 3 and 4.