Arthur Ransome was born in Leeds in l884 and went to school at Rugby. He was in Russia in l917, and witnessed the Revolution, which he reported for the Manchester Guardian. After escaping to Scandinavia, he settled in the Lake District with his Russian wife where, in l929, he wrote Swallows and Amazons. And so began a writing career which has produced some of the real children's treasures of all time. In 1936 he won the first ever Carnegie Medal for his book, Pigeon Post.

"There is plenty of excitement, a little danger, a quality of thinking, planning and fun which is delightful and stimulating" Times Literary Supplement "One of his best ... In a class by itself" Guardian "He makes a tale of adventure a handbook to adventure" Observer