Jan Fearnley

Author and Illustrator

Jan Fearnley studied Graphic Design at university and worked on a few commissions including an underground magazine; then took a higher degree in Education, because she was told she needed to ‘get a proper job.’

Jan worked as a primary school teacher in London (teaching children to read is still one of her proudest achievements) and later for an inner city literacy project – until the funding was removed. But Jan never forgot her passion for writing and illustrating books and so one day, she took a deep breath and blagged her way into several publishers with her portfolio and a handful of manuscripts. That was 25 years ago…

Since then, Jan has created over 26 picture books, has won several awards, and also illustrated books for other writers. She’s the creator of Little Robin Red Vest, Mr Wolf’s Pancakes, Just Like You, Harry and The Jaggedy Daggers, How Can You Lose an Elephant? and Edgar and The Sausage Inspector to name but a few.

Jan lives in an old farmhouse in the middle of the French countryside, with her husband and menagerie of rescued animals. Jan finds so much inspiration in nature, her animal family and her desire to live a compassionate life, and this transposes into many of her books.

Jane Buckley

Senior Art Director, Simon & Schuster

With over twenty years of experience in children’s publishing, Jane has worked for a wealth of publishers including Penguin Random House, Little Tiger Press, Kingfisher, and Dorling Kindersley. Throughout her career, she’s worked with a variety of award-winning illustrators such as Benji Davies, Sara Ogilvie, Liz Pichon, and Kate Hindley.

Jane started her journey studying Fine Art at Nottingham Trent University, as a painter and filmmaker with a keen eye for a good story, the picture book world soon beckoned. Through her determination and hard work – she now finds herself as the British Book Awards Designer of the Year winner, Art Director of Picture Books and Novelty at Simon & Schuster Children’s Books.