Billy Belly and the Lonely Plight of Pino the Pup

Tim was born and bred on Sydney’s north shore, with a father from Ireland and a mother from rural NSW. He is married to Ellie and is the proud father of two young boys: Aidan (the inspiration for Billy Belly) and his cheeky younger brother, Lukas. Tim's working life has been in environmental conservation and sustainable development, much of it with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), and he has published many academic papers and technical reports, primarily on tropical deforestation. Becoming a father lit a spark of creativity and moved Tim to turn his hand to children's fiction. Tim was raised on Dr Seuss, Roald Dahl and CS Lewis and gets a kick out of reading these favourites to his boys. Inspired by them, Tim wants to impart a love for words, a sense of wonder and a belief that anything is possible. Dedication: For my boys, Aidan and Lukas. My world.

Varun Sharma is a passionate and imaginative freelance illustrator specializing in bringing children's stories to life through vibrant and enchanting visuals. With a keen eye for detail and a love for storytelling, Varun crafts illustrations that captivate young readers and transport them to whimsical worlds filled with wonder. Born with a pencil in hand and fueled by a lifelong love of art, Varun discovered a unique talent for translating narratives into visual masterpieces. Drawing inspiration from classic children's literature, fairy tales, and the boundless imagination of young minds, Varun weaves a magical tapestry of colors and characters on every canvas.