Margaret Mahy lived in New Zealand and was internationally acknowledged as one of the most outstanding children's writers of her day. She was the author of more than two hundred books for children of all ages, two of which received England's Carnegie Medal and others of which have garnered numerous citations from the American Library Association. She was also the recipient of an Order of New Zealand, the highest honor a citizen can receive. In 2006 she receivd the Hans Christian Andersen award for her contributions to international children's literature. Polly Dunbar is the author and illustrator of Penguin, Dog Blue, and Flyaway Katie (all published by Candlewick). She is also the illustrator of Margaret Mahy's Down the Back of the Chair. She studied illustration at Bright Art School and now lives and works in Brighton, England.