Peter Barron is an experienced writer of children’s books, having now had 10 titles published.
Peter, who was born in Saltburn and raised in Middlesbrough, has produced seven rhyming books so far in The Monstrous Morals series: Fartin’ Martin Sidebottom, Black-toothed Ruth Black; Nose-picking Nicholas Pickering, Fidgety Bridget Wrigglesworth, Messy Bessie Clutterbuck, Daydreaming Daisy McCloud, and Chilly Billy Winters.
He has written another rhyming book – Darly’s Magical History Ride – about a magical little train which goes back in time through enchanted tunnels.
And he has also written an enchanting novel – Snowdrop The Spikeshuffler – about a little white hedgehog who gets picked on because he’s different but emerges as a hero.
Peter is also one of the country’s most respected journalists in the regional media and is the longest-serving editor in the history of The Northern Echo. He was awarded the MBE for services to journalism in 2013.
A father-of-four, he is now enjoying being a grandad for the first time, and lives in Hurworth-on-Tees, near Darlington.
Jonathan Raiseborough is an autistic young man, from Darlington, whose talent as an artist was first showcased when he teamed up with Peter Barron to illustrate Snowdrop The Spikeshuffler.
Since then, Jonathan has gone from strength to strength, and has graduated with a degree in graphic design and illustration from Teesside University.
He was commissioned to illustrate his second book, called My Brother Tom Has Superpowers, by Harriet Axeby. The book is about an autistic girl, whose brother can read minds.
Jonathan has now teamed up again with Peter Barron to illustrate Zizu Loses His Stripes, displaying the depth of his range by adopting a very different style to his previous books.
In the meantime, he has also worked as an ambassador for the North East Autism Society, going into schools to raise awareness of autism.