Silver

Andrew Motion was born in 1952. He began his career teaching English at the University of Hull. He has also been Editor of the Poetry Review, Editorial Director of Chatto & Windus, Poet Laureate, co-founded the Poetry Archive and was knighted for his services to literature in 2009. He is now Professor of Creative Writing at Royal Holloway, University of London. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and lives in London.

"Like Stevenson, Motion has achieved that very difficult thing: a children's novel that works even better for adults. Look to your laurels, Rowling" -- John Sutherland The Times "Deeply pleasing and convivial" Guardian "Vastly entertaining" Scotsman "Gripping " Daily Mail "Fascinating and richly colourful" Herald