Ronda Armitage has written many books for children. She is a trained counsellor, specializing in family therapy. She worked as a family councellor for NCH Action for Children for 13 years and currently works as a counsellor with NSPCC. Layn was born and educated in Essex, then studied BA History of Art and Architecture at Reading University, where she also met her husband, Spencer. She worked in libraries and went to live in Belgium for three years, before getting a first class degree in Illustration from Southampton. They now live in Hampshire with their son Theo (15), daughter Tegan (11), a hamster and a goldfish (both 1). Layn enjoys walks, cycle rides, knitting and karate.