The cello

Mary Auld is a writer of children's information books, working over a broad range of subjects. She has been actively involved in music from an early age, both singing and playing the flute, on an amateur basis. She loves making music in a group, be that in an orchestra or a choir. Whether making music or writing children's books, her aim is to share her enthusiasm and inspire readers. Mary Auld is a pen name for Rachel Cooke, who is an honorary fellow of the English Association, in recognition of her editorial work in children's non-fiction. Elisa Paganelli was born in Modena (Italy), and since childhood cannot resist the smell of paper and pencils. She attended the Institute of Art and subsequently graduated from the European Institute of Design (IED) in Turin with a degree in illustration. As a post-grad, Elisa worked as a graphic designer for a communication agency. However she realized that this wasn't the life for her, so she decided to set up her own art and design studio. (She also ran a successful design shop for 6 years, but this is another story.) Elisa devotes most of her time to her passion for images and words. She thinks of herself as a kind of hermit, immersed in her quiet world of nature and books, accompanied by a cup of tea and her beloved pet-assistants. She now collaborates with publishers and advertising agencies all over the world, and also writes for a newspaper's lifestyle column.