Neil has over 25 years’ experience in the advertising industry as a copywriter and art director, creating hundreds of funny TV ads. He has always had a keen interest in writing and drawing funny kid’s books and cartoons. He uses his insightful advertising communication skills to connect with parents and children alike. All his 'Ollie And Nina And ...' stories about his two dogs are based on insightful truths with a teeny bit of artistic license thrown in for added humorous effect. Neil likes to observe the silly doggie things Ollie and Nina do, and use that as inspiration to create his hilarious cartoon strips.
Neil has two delightful grandchildren, Chloe, 9 years old and Eve, 3 years old. Neil always has both of his grandchildren in mind while thinking up and writing his children's books. He is always thinking about how to make them laugh and show them new things that will make them think. Neil likes to include a little bit of education in his stories, helping children observe the world through interesting and colourful illustrations and intriguing and entertaining stories, sometimes told in clever rhymes.
Steve has over 30 years’ experience in the graphic design industry as a visualiser/illustrator/designer in packaging design. He’s always taken a keen interest in drawing – at a young age he would sit at his grandparents’ kitchen table drawing on his Nana's greaseproof paper that she used for her baking. Not knowing where his talent and passion for drawing would take him in a work environment, Steve’s art teacher advised him to try a graphics course at his local college in Durham ... and the rest is history. Steve is able to work in a variety of styles using traditional materials and digital methods, and has worked on many projects as diverse as the clients he works with. He is based at a North East Design agency, which has a well established reputation built up over 50 years. Steve has also undertaken freelance commissions over the years, but has never undertaken a personal project such as 'Little House.' It means a lot to him to be collaborating with his long-time friend, Neil, who he met when they were teenagers at that Art College in Durham.
Steve is a family man who has been married to his best friend, Sue, for over 30 years. He has two beautiful daughters, Sarah and Gemma, and two wonderful grandchildren, Bradley and Grace. Steve is always drawing little animals and characters for them both, and they, in turn, love to draw pictures for him ... as his kitchen walls and doors bear testament to.