About the Author

A former teacher and psychologist, Jennifer Beck is the author of more than fifty children’s books and the recipient of numerous prizes. She is also an appointed Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to children’s literature.

Jennifer’s picture book The Bantam and the Soldier won the Picture Book Category and the Book of the Year Award in the 1997 New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards, and in 2006 she won the Children's Choice Award for Nobody’s Dog, voted for by more than 30,000 children throughout New Zealand. A feature of her books is that adults contribute to the magic and fun of childhood. Some common themes are history, peace and war.