The First World War

Jillian Powell began writing with a big paper pad and coloured crayons when she was four. When she grew up, she started writing short stories and features for magazines and then began working on books for children. She has written over 250 books including picture books and rhyming stories on ghosts, pirates, scarecrows and a dancing hippo. She also writes information books on every kind of subject from food and festivals to baby animals. Adrian Bradbury was born in Manchester and worked as a PE teacher before moving overseas to teach English in Europe, the Middle East and Far East. After returning to England he worked as Deputy Head in three schools and now divides his time between teaching and writing. As well as writing educational materials for HarperCollins and other publishers, he also writes humorous football books for children. His hobbies include playing the piano and all sports.