Steve Palin was born in Liverpool and has spent his working life in education as a teacher, headteacher and adviser. He has been publishing his artwork for nearly 35 years and has exhibited in the National Exhibition of Wildlife Art. His best-selling book, A Murmuration of Starlings, showcases the collective nouns of animals and birds in words and watercolours. HIs latest book, Pundemonium, is a playful collection of over 50 illustrated animal puns. He also wrote and illustrated The Anniversary Book which is a guide to the perfect anniversary gift and A Box of Frogs - illustrated idioms of birds and animals.A trustee of the North Wales Wildlife Trust, he lives on Anglesey where he is developing a wildflower meadow to encourage wildlife. He has a strong interest in butterflies and moths.

For some reason, collective nouns never cease to fascinate. Mr Palin explains that the weird and wonderful terms have been around for more than 500 years… As we increasingly text instead of write and mangle the language in our rush to communicate, a book about collective nouns looks touchingly old fashioned...[but] collective nouns never cease to fascinate. The best thing about group names is that they offer more questions than answers...which is why Mr Palin offers a few explanations in his book.