Author:
Fiona Gray is a regenerative architect, writer, and sustainability practitioner with more than 25 years of experience exploring how nature connected environments can enrich everyday life. Her work focuses on creating places where people and the natural world can thrive together, and she regularly contributes to lifestyle and sustainability publications on the value of nature based living. Her debut picture book, Gretel Petal and the Blooming City, draws on this deep professional background to introduce children to themes of care, community, and the transformative power of nature through a warm and imaginative story.
Illustrator:
Emma Stuart has been illustrating children’s books for more than 25 years, bringing to life over 230 titles during her career. Her work has been published by Hachette, New Frontier, Little Steps, Brolly Books, the Enid Blyton Estate, Book Group, and the ABC, and she has also illustrated a title for the Duchess of York through Serenity Press. While Emma works primarily in watercolour, she is equally at home with acrylics, oils, pen and ink, and pencil. Her characters are full of warmth and personality, offering readers a delightful sense of light-heartedness on every page. Her recent awards and acknowledgements include the 2021 Literary Titan Book Award for Charlie, Blue and Larry Lamppost (written by Sarah Ferguson), finalist recognition in the 2014 International Book Awards for Climb (written by Caroline Tuohey), and a shortlist placement in Australia’s Speech Pathology Book of the Year Awards in 2013. In addition to her illustration work, Emma regularly exhibits her landscape paintings at cbONE Gallery in Melbourne.