Dorothy Clark left art school just after the Second World war beginning work as an illustrator in an advertising studio. As a pleasant change from her day job, she would make Christmas card designs for the Gordon Fraser Gallery. But her break into the children's publishing world began as the artist on a series of cloth books about Rupert Bear and friends. And, after a chance meeting with the assistant editor of Nursery World magazine on an Italian holiday, Dorothy would provide column fillers for the publication for years and years to come. Her picture book Grandpa's Handerkerchief - illustrated by Siobhan Dodds - was shortlisted for the Smarties Prize. Dorothy lives in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. Ellie and Lump's Very Busy Day is her debut on the Walker picture books list, and is illustrated by Becky Palmer.