Antonia Barber (1932-2019) gained early recognition for The Ghosts, first published in 1969. It was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal, an award she was later shortlisted for again in 1983 with The Ring in the Rough Stuff. The Ghosts has been adapted for film twice, in 1972 and 2021, released both times as The Amazing Mr Blunden.
Antonia's first picture book, The Mousehole Cat, was published to great acclaim in 1990, with beautiful illustrations by Nicola Bayley. It was awarded Illustrated Children's Book of the Year at the British Book Awards and won the Children's Choice in the Nestle Smarties Book Prize.
