After graduating from the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts, Pierre de Hugo started to work as an illustrator, contributing to dictionaries published in France. He is the author and illustrator of children’s books about animals, and his books have been translated for publication in Taiwan, Italy, Malaysia, India, Spain, Japan, Greece, Croatia, the Netherlands, Germany, England, Turkey, and the United States. Pierre de Hugo likes to draw animals and scenes from the natural world as it helps him fleetingly capture their incredibly beautiful and wonderfully varied colour tones. He also did a lot of field research in the countryside, in museums, and consulted zoologists and scientists, in the quest for precision in his work.

Rémi Courgeon (1959) is a visual artist from Choisy-le-Roi, Paris. He is a prolific illustrator, painter, and author of over forty children’s books. From advertising to travel sketches, Rémi’s artistic range includes exhibitions in France and abroad. In 2011, he documented Haiti’s post-earthquake resilience in Doctors of the World, portraying life there through his poignant drawings. With a blend of irony and sacredness, his illustrations, in L’Oizochat, captivated hearts. Rémi, is not just an artist but an inspiration, sharing his passion through his talks with children in schools, leaving a lasting impression on young minds.

Jean-Philippe Chabot, (1966, France), is an illustrator and professor of illustration. After joining Gallimard Jeunesse in 1990 he illustrated numerous titles including Pablo Picasso and Vincent Van Gogh in the My First Discoveries Art series. A beacon of creativity, Chabot’s recent brushstrokes illuminated the canvas of Leonardo da Vinci’s life, enriching the “Following in the Footsteps of…” series with his mesmerising storytelling.

Christian Broutin (1933, Chartres, France) is a biography painter and illustrator. In 1953, he got the Professorship of Drawing of the City of Paris as he entered the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Métiers d’Art. He has worked in advertising, cinema and publishing. His venture into advertising and cinema resulted in over a hundred cinema posters working under the poster artist Rene Ferracci. In publishing, he has illustrated ranging from science fiction to Guy de Maupassant’s works and has crafted an extensive legacy with several books under Gallimard Jeunesse including Boats, Town, Trees, Volcanoes and In the Jungle. Broutin’s artistic journey blends realism with artistic expression. Awarded the Toulouse-Lautrec prize for Jules et Jim, he received the Grand Prix de l’Affiche Française in 1983. In 1996, his whimsical Eiffel Tower graced a postage stamp, showcasing Broutin’s versatile artistic brilliance. As he puts it, “I have drawn since I was a child. I didn’t think I would make it a job, as it was my way of breathing.”

Laura Bour (1964) is an artist and author, who developed a passion for illustration at an early age in her mother’s (Daniele Bour) workshop. Mostly self-taught, she went on to complete a fine arts degree from Metz. She has illustrated 25 books and also written a few of her own creations. Her design language and artistic technique are highly varied. Laura’s heart belongs to nature and wild animals, mirroring her untamed spirit. As she puts it, “I touched everything, but nature chose me, much like a wasp on vinegar.”

Philip Biard (1959) graduated from the prestigious National School of Fine Arts of Paris and the National School of Applied Arts and Crafts of Paris (1976-1980). He initially honed his craft in advertising and design, collaborating with renowned figures like Jean-François Bodin and Andrée Putman. From 1987, Biard worked as a children’s illustrator and graphic designer for publishers such as Bayard, Casterman, and Gallimard Jeunesse. His work has donned the pages of magazines and guidebooks, capturing the essence of Air France, Beaux-Arts, and more. As an educator, he taught aspiring illustrators at ESAT Art School in Paris from 2002 to 2013. 

Philip Biard’s vibrant illustrations bring the narrative to life in The Moon, The Pyramid and Building Sites, creating exciting adventures for his young readers.

Charlotte Voake (1957) is a Welsh children’s book illustrator. She studied art history at the University of London, where she started her journey as an illustrator. Charlotte resides and writes in Surrey. She has earned several accolades including the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize. Her acclaimed works, including Ginger and Pizza Kittens, reflect her lifelong passion for book illustration. Charlotte Voake asserts that her stories, much like good manners, are cultivated through perseverance and joy.

Charlotte Voake has worked on the My First Discovery Music series for Moonlight Publishing and Gallimard Jeunesse.