John Fisher has enjoyed a long and distinguished career as a television producer and executive working for both the BBC and Thames Television with responsibility for shows as diverse as Parkinson, Wogan, The Bob Monkhouse Show, The Ken Dodd Show, Des O'Connor Tonight, The Best of Magic, This Is Your Life and the definitive documentary series on British comedians, Heroes of Comedy, which he wrote and produced for Channel Four. A recognised authority on the history of popular entertainment, he includes amongst his other published works Call Them Irreplaceable, an analysis of star quality as seen through the performances of the great entertainers of the twentieth century, and acclaimed… biographies of three of his all-time comic heroes: George Formby: The Ukulele Man; Tony Hancock: The Definitive Biography and Tommy Cooper: Always Leave Them Laughing. The latter is currently being adapted as a film by Left Bank Pictures.
Tomie dePaola was born in Meriden, Connecticut on September 15, 1934. He received a B.F.A. from Pratt Institute in 1956, a M.F.A. from California College of Arts and Crafts in 1969, and a doctoral equivalency from Lone Mountain College in 1970. He has written and/or illustrated more than 200 books including 26 Fairmount Avenue, Strega Nona, and Meet the Barkers. He has received numerous awards for his work including the Caldecott Honor Award, the Newbery Honor Award and the New Hampshire Governor's Arts Award of Living Treasure. His murals and paintings can be seen in many churches and monasteries throughout New England. He has designed greeting cards, magazine and record album covers, and… theater sets. His work is shown in galleries and museums.