A Song of Gladness: A Story of Hope for us and our Planet by Michael Morpurgo

Not much is known about the life of Aesop. He was a slave who lived in Greece around 620-563 BC, and hundreds of fables are attributed to him. He was believed to be tongue-tied, but miraculously received the power of speech and became a legendary storyteller.

Michael Morpurgo is the author of many books for children, five of which have been made into films. He also writes his own screenplays and libretti for opera. Born in St Albans, Hertfordshire, in 1943, he was evacuated to Cumberland during the last years of the war, then returned to London, moving later to Essex.

After a brief and unsuccessful spell in the army, he took up teaching and started to write. He left teaching after ten years in order to set up 'Farms for City Children' with his wife. They have three farms in Devon, Wales and Gloucestershire, open to inner city school children who come to stay and work with the animals.

In 1999 this work was publicly recognised when he and his wife were awarded an MBE for services to youth. He is also a father and grandfather, so children have always played a large part in his life. Every year he and his family spend time in the Scilly Isles, the setting for three of his books.

Emily Gravett is twice winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal and the Nestlé Book Prize Bronze Award for her debut picture book Wolves and Little Mouse's Big Book of Fears. An author/illustrator of unique talent and tremendous skill, she has a host of other award-winning and critically acclaimed books to her name, including Orange Pear Apple Bear, The Odd Egg, Tidy and Old Hat. Emily lives in Brighton.