Born in Cheshire in 1928, Robert Leeson was a journalist for forty years, interrupted by army service in Egypt. He began to write for children in the 1960s and has had over 65 books published including ‘The Third Class Genie – now a Collins Modern Classic- and The Demon Bike Rider. In 1985 he received the Eleanor Farjeon Award for services to children’s literature. Married, with a son and daughter, Robert lives in Hertfordshire.