Our Village

John Yeoman was for many years Head of English at the French Lycée in London. His collaboration with Quentin Blake began in 1960, and has resulted in a long list of successful children's books of which a number of earlier well-loved titles are now being republished by Andersen Press for new generations of readers.

Quentin Blake is an award-winning author and illustrator who was born in the suburbs of London in 1932 and has drawn ever since he can remember. He went to Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School, followed by National Service. Then he studied English at Downing College, Cambridge, going on to do a postgraduate teaching diploma at the University of London, followed by life-classes at Chelsea Art School. Blake is known for his collaboration with writers such as Russell Hoban, Joan Aiken, Michael Rosen, John Yeoman and, most famously, Roald Dahl. Global sales of his books have topped 45 million and have won numerous prizes and awards: including the Whitbread Award, the Kate Greenaway Medal, the Emil/Kurt Maschler Award and the international Bologna Ragazzi Prize. He won the 2002 Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration, the highest international recognition given to creators of children's books.

Hugh Dennis is an English actor, presenter, writer and comedian who rose to prominence supporting Jasper Carrott in a number of his 1980s' BBC series, then to stardom as a member of the Mary Whitehouse Experience sketch group on television. He is now best known for his appearances in The Now Show, Mock The Week and Outnumbered.