Chris Riddell was born in Cape Town, South Africa, where his father was an Anglican priest and a member of the ANC. The family moved to England in 1963, when Riddell was one year old, and he spent his childhood in a number of different locations, as his father moved between parishes. Both of Riddell's parents continued to be active in the anti-apartheid movement. Chris Riddell is an internationally acclaimed writer and illustrator whose many awards include the Nestlé Gold Award and two Kate Greenaway Medals—the most prestigious prize for illustration in the UK. He is the creator of more than one hundred books for all ages, including the immensely popular series the Edge Chronicles and his latest chapter book series, starring the irrepressible Ottoline Brown, which School Library Journal called "exceptional." Chris lives in Brighton, England, with his wife and three children where he invents his amazing characters in a very tidy shed in his yard.

Simon Lamb is a poet, Carnegie-nominated author and spork enthusiast. After a degree in mathematics, a surprisingly poetic stint in a supermarket, and a short career as a primary school teacher, he eventually gave in to his passions of writing and performing to pursue them full-time. He works extensively across books, schools, libraries, festivals and beyond to entertain, ignite and inspire audiences of all ages in his singular effervescent way. In the words of a former Literacy and English Coordinator of North Ayrshire, Simon has “changed the face of how we teach poetry in our schools”. Simon is a dynamic and engaging speaker and performer. Whether hosting, headlining or otherwise, he conjures warmth and wit on any stage, and does so with a joyous elan. He has lived on the west, east and north coasts of Scotland, never far from the sea, and currently lives in Ayrshire, where he is the Scriever, the writer-in-residence at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, 2022–2025. His debut poetry collection – A Passing On of Shells (Scallywag Press, 2023) – was illustrated by former UK Children’s Laureate Chris Riddell, and his upcoming modern-day reimagining of Tam o’ Shanter – Mat o’ Shanter (Scallywag Press, 2025) – will be illustrated by Scottish muralist and first-time book illustrator Ross MacRae.