Charles Fuge (Charlie to his friends) was brought up in Bath where a fanatical interest in wildlife translated into the drawing of animals. Once at Camberwell School of Art, he was tutored by woodcutter John Lawrence. He went on to win the Macmillan Prize in 1988 for Bush Vark's First Day Out and the Mother Goose Award the following year. And a career in children's book illustration began. Charles has since illustrated picture books including Sometimes I Like to Curl Up in a Ball which was runner-up for the Kate Greenaway Medal. And written and illustrated many more.