VIRGINIA MCKENNA OBE starred in the iconic film Born Free with her husband Bill Travers before setting up Zoo Check in 1984. Zoo Check later became the registered charity The Born Free Foundation, which takes action around the world to rescue vulnerable animals from appalling lives of misery in tiny cages in zoos, and give them lifetime care in spacious bush sanctuaries. As well as travelling extensively around the world in her work with Born Free, Virginia has authored many books and speaks at numerous events, while supporting many other charitable organisations.

KATIE COTTON studied English at Oxford University before becoming an editor and author of children's books. She lives and works in London.

STEPHEN WALTON is a self-taught, award-winning artist who works as Supervisor at Bury Art Museum in Manchester, UK. After studying Geography at Manchester University, his artwork developed alongside his love of taking photographs, which resulted in his very particular style and method: when he is out and about he takes photographs which he then draws from at home. His incredible charcoal artworks can take up to a month to complete. Counting Lions is his first fully illustrated book.