Roger Lancelyn Green was born in England in 1918, where his family has lived for more than 900 years. He was often sick as a child and spent long periods confined to his room devouring Greek myths, medieval romances, and fairy tales. Green began a lifelong fascination with Greece and Greek culture when he first visited that country in 1935. He went on to compile and retell many Greek stories, including "Old Greek Fairy Tales," and "Jason and the Golden Fleece." Green also wrote his own stories, but he is better known for his retellings of folk tales from around the world. Roger Lancelyn Green died in 1987
Michael Rosen started writing as a teenager, when his mother needed some poems for Radio programs she was making. While at college, he wrote a play which was staged at the Royal Court theatre in London. Rosen's first book was published in 1974, and he is one of Britain's leading children's poets. Michael Rosen launched the National Year of Literacy project, which encouraged children to help produce an Anthology to be used during the Literacy Hour in primary schools. Children ages 4-11 were invited to submit poems and illustrations featuring their favorite tree. Rosen also led the final judging sessions to decide which submissions would be included.