Matt Shanks is an internationally published and critically acclaimed author/illustrator of over twenty picture books, several of which have been awarded CBCA Notable Books. Simplicity, humour and the art of the unseen are strong themes in his illustration work, and he works primarily in watercolour. Matt has collaborated with some of Australia's most loved writers including Jackie French, Peter Helliar and Jimmy Barnes. He is a two-time fellow of the May Gibbs' Children's Literature Trust and an Australian Literary and Numeracy Foundation ambassador. Matt lives on Boon Wurrung land with his partner and cat.