Lynne Reid Banks was born in London in 1929. She was an actress in the early 1950s and later became one of the first two women TV News reporters in Britain. She is a best-selling author for both children and adults, and has written over thirty books, including The L-Shaped Room.

Praise for Harry the Poisonous Centipede“A real ground level story that rockets along on hundreds of legs…Bug fans will love this.”Kidstuff School Books RTE GuidePraise for Angela and Diabola“Couldn’t put it down.”Time Out“A worthy successor to Roald Dahl… children will be hammering on the bookshop door to get it.”Treasure Islands, Radio 4“…a wonderful mix of horror and humour.”The Sunday TelegraphPraise for The Indian in the Cupboard“Enthralling and hair-raising reading.”TL