P. L. TraversP.L. Travers (1899–1996) worked as a secretary, a dancer and an actress, but writing was her real love, and for many years she was a journalist. It was while recuperating from a serious illness that she wrote Mary Poppins. She recieved an OBE in 1977.Louise FitzhughLouise Fitzhugh (1928–1974) was born in Memphis, Tennessee and published ‘Harriet the Spy’, her first novel, to mixed reviews in 1964, but it has since been recognised as a children’s classic. ‘The Long Secret’ followed in 1965 and ‘Sport’ was published posthumously in 1979.Alan ParkerSir Alan Parker is a director, writer and producer. His feature films have won nineteen BAFTA awards, ten Golden Globes and ten Oscars. His films include ‘Bugsy Malone’, ‘Midnight Express’, ‘Mississippi Burning’, ‘The Commitments’, ‘Evita’, ‘Fame’ and ‘Angela’s Ashes’. Sir Alan received the CBE in 1995 and a knighthood in 2002.

P. L. TraversP.L. Travers (1899–1996) worked as a secretary, a dancer and an actress, but writing was her real love, and for many years she was a journalist. It was while recuperating from a serious illness that she wrote Mary Poppins. She recieved an OBE in 1977.Louise FitzhughLouise Fitzhugh (1928–1974) was born in Memphis, Tennessee and published ‘Harriet the Spy’, her first novel, to mixed reviews in 1964, but it has since been recognised as a children’s classic. ‘The Long Secret’ followed in 1965 and ‘Sport’ was published posthumously in 1979.Alan ParkerSir Alan Parker is a director, writer and producer. His feature films have won nineteen BAFTA awards, ten Golden Globes and ten Oscars. His films include ‘Bugsy Malone’, ‘Midnight Express’, ‘Mississippi Burning’, ‘The Commitments’, ‘Evita’, ‘Fame’ and ‘Angela’s Ashes’. Sir Alan received the CBE in 1995 and a knighthood in 2002.

P. L. TraversP.L. Travers (1899–1996) worked as a secretary, a dancer and an actress, but writing was her real love, and for many years she was a journalist. It was while recuperating from a serious illness that she wrote Mary Poppins. She recieved an OBE in 1977.Louise FitzhughLouise Fitzhugh (1928–1974) was born in Memphis, Tennessee and published ‘Harriet the Spy’, her first novel, to mixed reviews in 1964, but it has since been recognised as a children’s classic. ‘The Long Secret’ followed in 1965 and ‘Sport’ was published posthumously in 1979.Alan ParkerSir Alan Parker is a director, writer and producer. His feature films have won nineteen BAFTA awards, ten Golden Globes and ten Oscars. His films include ‘Bugsy Malone’, ‘Midnight Express’, ‘Mississippi Burning’, ‘The Commitments’, ‘Evita’, ‘Fame’ and ‘Angela’s Ashes’. Sir Alan received the CBE in 1995 and a knighthood in 2002.