About the Author

Originally from New Zealand, Judy’s father was working in India when she was born, and his work took the family to a number of countries. Travelling so much as children was rare at that time and books became both solace and refuge for Judy. She later married and had two sons, Zolton and Zachary, who were the inspiration for Murgatroyd’s Garden. Along the way, Judy worked in advertising and publishing before retraining for her first love: teaching English to adult migrants. She has two adorable granddaughters who she hopes will inspire her to write more children’s books.

Drahos Zak arrived in Australia from the Czech Republic in 1980 after completing a PhD in Illustration and Graphic Design at Charles University, Prague. In Australia Drahos has worked as an Illustrator for various newspapers and magazines, but it is his illustrations for children’s books that have gained him international recognition.
His work has brought him awards and commendations for more than 20 years including The Pied Piper of Hamelin retold by Robert Holden, which won best design at the APA awards and was a Notable Book, Book of the Year, Children’s Book Council of Australia Awards in 1998; The Brothers Gruesome, written by Susan Elgar, which was short-listed for the Parent’s Choice Award, USA, 2011; and The True Story of Mary Who Wanted to Stand on Her Head, written by Jane Godwin, was short-listed for Book of the Year: Younger Readers, Children’s Book Council of Australia Awards, won the White Raven UNESCO International Youth Library Award and the Aurealis Award, Children's Short Stories category all in 2006. Murgatroyd’s Garden was an Honour Book in the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book Awards in 1987.
Drahos has written and illustrated his latest book, Aroma and lives on the south coast of New South Wales.

Reviews

This re-release is a classic to be treasured, especially by anyone whose children protest at bath or shower time.
*Kids' Book Review*

It is no wonder that this book won CBCA Honour Book, Picture Book of the Year in 1987. It’s rerelease is sure to be adored by those who battle at bath time because it means the dreaded task of hair washing.
*Buzzwords Magazine*