This book was published by Bloomsbury U. S. A. Children's Books .

Christianna Brand was born in 1909. As a child she lived with the family of her cousin, Edward Ardizzone. Christianna had many jobs until finally in 1941 her first crime novel Death in High Heels was published, which was followed by successful crime novels and historical romance as well as children's books. She died in 1988. Edward Ardizzone (1900-1979) illustrated over 200 books and was awarded the Kate Greenaway Medal for Tim All Alone. He was awarded the CBE in 1971.