Jane Porter is an author and illustrator specializing in work both for and with children. Her work ranges from picture and novelty books to children’s maps, murals and hand-made books suitable for outreach work. She has worked for a number of organizations, including theNational Trust, English Heritage, London Zoo, the Corporation of London, Historic Royal Palaces and the National Health Service. When she's not working, Jane is often to be found on the RiverThames in a coracle or skiff, looking out for passing bats, cormorants and wagtails. Visit Jane's website: www.janeporter.co.ukJenni Desmond is an illustrator, artist and picture book author, working from a studio in a rattling railway arch in east London. She graduated with distinction from the Masters in Children's Book Illustration at Cambridge School of Art (APU), and her books have won awards including the Cambridgeshire "Read it Again" Picture Book Award. Visit Jenni's website: www.jennidesmond.com

Desmond’s mixed-media images feature vividly hued watercolorlike washes of green and blue, and when Bob finally summons his courage, Pollock-esque splatters of color dot the pages. Porter’s warmly soothing text carries Bob along to a triumphant ending sure to embolden other reluctant performers. A tale of stage fright conquered that hits all the right notes.