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