Jeanne Willis trained as a copy-writer, then wrote ads for TV, cinema and radio. She has written many books for children and is best known for her Dr Xargle series. She lives in North London. Korky Paul was born in Zimbabwe. After art school in Durban, he worked in Cape Town in advertising, then in 1976 he fled South Africa to London and started a successful career in children's illustration. Winnie the Witch was the winner of the 1987 Children's Book Award.