The Colour of Home

Mary Hoffman is the author of the picture book Amazing Grace, which is an international bestseller. Her first two novels for Bloomsbury in the Stravaganza series have also been bestsellers. She is a complete aficionado of Italy, and spends as much time as she can there – all her love for Italy has been infused into the Stravaganza series. Mary is also the editor of Armadillo, a children’s review magazine. She has three grown-up children and lives with her husband in Carterton, outside Oxford. She is also a highly acclaimed journalist who has campaigned against sexism and racism in children’s literature since 1971. In 1998 she was made an Honorary Fellow of the Library Association for service to children and libraries.

Karin Littlewood has illustrated 13 books for children, among them Say a Little Prayer, by Burt Bacharach. She received a Kate Greenaway nomination in 2001 for Swallow Journey by Vivian French and was shortlisted for the Federation of Children’s Books Award 2001 for Ellie and the Butterfly Kitten.