About the author L. Frank Baum (1856–1919) was born in the village of Chittenango, New York. His first children’s book, a collection of nursery rhymes, was published in 1897, and he wrote many more books for children under his own name and various pseudonyms. He is best known for his books about the magical Land of Oz. The first, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, was published in 1900 and was an instant hit – followed by thirteen sequels! Baum was an unstoppable creative force, pouring his energy and fortunes into his writing, and producing many theatrical and film adaptations of his works. About the illustrator Robert Ingpen was born in Geelong, Australia. He began studying illustration art and book design over fifty years ago at The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and has designed, written and illustrated more than one hundred works of fiction and non-fiction. In 1986, Ingpen received the highest honour in the children’s book world, the Hans Christian Andersen Medal, for his contribution to international children's literature. He has also recently been awarded an honorary doctorate from RMIT and granted Membership of the Order of Australia for services to literature. He and his wife Angela live and work in Barwon Heads near their home town of Geelong. In recent times, he has illustrated editions of classic works such as The Jungle Book, Treasure Island, A Christmas Carol, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and the centenary editions of Peter Pan and Wendy, The Wind in the Willows and The Secret Garden.