The author & illustrator
Katie Why
Author
Katie Why has over ten years of teaching experience in both the UK and international schools. Throughout her career, she has inspired young children through creative learning, storytelling and a passion for helping every child develop confidence, curiosity and a lifelong love of books.
Now married and the proud mother of a young daughter, Katie enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends. Whether sharing bedtime stories, exploring the outdoors or creating imaginative learning experiences, she believes that the best adventures begin with a child's imagination.
Bear and Friends To The Rescue is Katie's first children's book and the beginning of the Bear and Friends Adventure series. Inspired by her love of storytelling and her experience as a teacher, Katie hopes each adventure will spark children's imaginations while celebrating friendship, kindness, courage and teamwork.
She looks forward to sharing many more adventures of the little bear and his little friends, creating stories that families will enjoy reading together for years to come.
Andy Rowland
Illustrator
Andy Rowland is a freelance illustrator based in Manchester, UK, with over two decades of experience crafting captivating visuals for children's books, community arts, murals, and designs. He has collaborated with many renowned publishers and is part of an artist studio called Two Crows, a creative space offering workshops and opportunity for collaborations across different creative mediums. He loves to play his guitar and paint, sometimes both at the same time!
Andy studied illustration at Manchester Metropolitan University, where he won the prestigious Macmillan prize during his second year for a children's book's design, writing, and illustration. He now illustrates a diverse range of subjects, from people and animals to anthropomorphic creatures, dinosaurs, space, and landscapes.
Combining humour, individuality, and compelling characters in his work, he strives to foster inclusivity and unity in a world that sometimes overlooks these essential values. Sketching plays a vital role in his creative process, whether he's capturing moments in the bustling streets, cafes, or from the comfort of his campervan turned mobile studio. Beginning each project with a hand-drawn image, he likes to keep the tactile connection between pen and paper, culminating in digitally refined artworks that blend traditional aesthetics with a contemporary twist, enriching his creations with a timeless appeal.