Simon Bartram studied Graphic Design, specialising in illustration, at Birmingham Polytechnic. He has gone on to write and illustrate a number of picture books, including the bestselling Blue Peter Award-winner The Man on the Moon: A Day in the Life of Bob. He has also written a popular series of illustrated fiction books about the adventures of Bob and his dog Barry. Simon Bartram studied Graphic Design, specialising in illustration, at Birmingham Polytechnic. He has gone on to write and illustrate a number of picture books, including the bestselling Blue Peter Award-winner The Man on the Moon: A Day in the Life of Bob. He has also written a popular series of illustrated fiction books about the adventures of Bob and his dog Barry.

Dougal has a very boring job but very interesting hobby - deep-sea diving - and some exciting and unusual things happen when he goes on holiday.I particularily like the way the story is written in diary form along with the dya and the time that events happen, which makes the whole text interesting and gives the opportunity for jokes, such as "9.32 set sail. Hope we don't sink. 9.33 not sunk yet!"The illustrations are even more imaginative than the text, and so full of detailed pictures, using fantastically vibrant colours, which make the whole book come alive. I knew this was going t be something special just by looking at the cover and I wasn't disappointed.