About the Author

Irene Mathias has been writing since she could hold a pencil. She loves to write poetry and stories for children and has had success in local, national and international competition with many of her tales. She lives in Scotland with her husband and daughter, who is her biggest fan, and also her biggest critic. The Short Straw is her first published book. Anja Uhren is a storyteller - working with images as well as words to deliver narratives. Originally from Germany she now lives and works in Sheffield, UK as a freelance illustrator, after graduating from the Arts University Bournemouth in summer 2015. Anja loves drawing, travelling and comics and nothing better than combining all three. On her journeys, big and small, she always carries one or two sketchbooks to record observations and impressions which later inform and inspire her illustration practice. anjauhren.com