About the Author

Karin Littlewood studied Graphic Design at the University of Northumbria, followed by an MA in illustration at Manchester Metropolitan University. She has worked in editorial, packaging, design and advertising, as well as publishing. Her work has been nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal three times. LIZ WEIR is a professional storyteller and writer from Northern Ireland. Formerly children's librarian for the city of Belfast, she now works extensively in schools and prisons, and travels the world telling stories to adults and children. She organizes workshops and appears at major international festivals (including the National Storytelling Festival in Tennessee and the Australian National Storytelling Festival). Weir has performed in Israel, Germany, Australia, and the United States. She was the first winner of the International Storybridge Award from the National Storytelling Network which cited her exemplary work promoting the art of storytelling within Ireland and between other countries. Weir is the author of two collections of stories for children, Boom Chicka Boom and Here, There and Everywhere. She has presented The Gift of the Gab, a storytelling series for BBC Radio Ulster, and has recently written scripts for three television animations aimed at young children in Northern Ireland. Weir firmly believes in the power of storytelling to promote understanding and aid conflict resolution. She lives in Co. Antrim.

Reviews

'A moving and thought-provoking book ... beautifully and sensitively written ... and stunningly and very atmospherically illustrated.' School Librarian 'This should reassure children who have members of their family in jail.' Bookwitch 'This sensitive story echoes the realities for children of prisoners, the hidden victims of crime.' Booktrust This sensitive and thoughtful book would be a good fixture in any public or primary-school library. Irish Times What a great team this author-illustrator pair make in producing such a compassionate story, so sensitively told and delicately illustrated, for families coping with someone they love in prison. Early Years Educator The illustrations have an attractive gravity and naturalness, and the prison scenes are impressively clear and sobering. It will be an educative and absorbing read for children lucky enough not to be sharing this experience and indispensable for those who are. -- Kate Kellaway Observer This thoughtful, significant book softly underlines coming to terms with family crises. Irish Examiner