About the Author

David Almond has received several major international awards, including a Hans Christian Andersen Award, a Carnegie Medal, two Whitbread Awards, an Eleanor Farjeon Award, and a Michael L. Printz Award. He is the author of The Tightrope Walkers, The True Tale of the Monster Billy Dean, Skellig, Clay, and many other novels, stories, and plays. His many books for younger readers include The Boy Who Swam with Piranhas, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers; The Savage, Slog's Dad, and Mouse Bird Snake Wolf, illustrated by Dave McKean; and My Dad's a Birdman and The Boy Who Climbed Into the Moon, illustrated by Polly Dunbar. David Almond lives in England with his family.