Barrie Baker and Susan Bell

THE AUTHOR

Barrie Baker lives in East Kilbride, Scotland. He was born and raised in Glasgow. He has had a number of jobs starting with the Merchant Navy then service engineer, sales and marketing, counselling and psychotherapy with various experiences in between.

All through his life he has written, mostly poetry of a light-hearted character although recent circumstances have taken him to deeper, more reflective areas. Now disabled and largely confined to a wheelchair he writes most days drawing inspiration from his grandchildren in the same way he once and perhaps still does draw inspiration from his son.

The collaboration with his sister Susan Bell on Down the Forest Way has encouraged him to continue the Forest adventures with several more narrative poems under way.

 

THE ILLUSTRATOR

Susan Bell was born in Glasgow. Her diverse career reflects a rich background in both theatre and journalism. Throughout the 1970s, she worked in stage management, primarily at Perth Theatre and the Royal Lyceum in Edinburgh.

Later, Susan transitioned to production journalism, spending 26 years at the Press and Journal in Aberdeen, where she also served for a couple of years as an editorial artist.

Now retired, Susan lives in the beautiful fishing village of Crail in the East Neuk of Fife. Although not formally trained in art, she has maintained a lifelong interest in drawing. This collaboration with her brother marks her first published children's book. Susan is a mother to two sons.