Reading Champion: Poppy's Baby Sister

Lynne Benton (Author)

Lynne Benton was born in Bournemouth but moved to Bath at 18 to train as a teacher, and has lived there ever since. She has taught in several primary schools in the area, as well as working as a pianist and receptionist in a dancing school and bringing up four children. In 1982, she and her husband, Robin, a fellow teacher and composer, co-wrote a musical play for primary schools based on the story of Jason and the Golden Fleece (still, happily, in print). It was only when their children began leaving home for university that she began writing seriously.

In 1996, she was a prizewinner in the Independent’s Children’s Story of the Year competition, and since then has had several fiction books published. As well as writing longer novels for older children, she enjoys writing humorous “bite-size” stories for younger ones. She welcomes invitations to go into schools and talk to children about her books, as it keeps her in touch with her readers, who she finds a continual source of inspiration.

Cecily Salt (Illustrator)

Cecily Salt is an author-illustrator who began her journey in animation, making short films for Channel 4. These days, she spends more time doing illustration, finding it a treat to work on a few images rather than hundreds. She is a Royal College of Art graduate, RSA Design Award winner, film BAFTA nominee, and, perhaps most notably, won a Blue Peter Badge when she was eight.

She got into sketchbooks at art school and found it a huge revelation, having a private place to explore drawing, ideas, and materials. It has since become a way of life for her. She grew up in Paignton, a slightly faded seaside town, and has a newfound respect for the place by painting it. She likes to pop her characters into big, breezy landscapes, just to see what might spark a new story. Needless to say, there are always a few brewing.

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