John Astrop has written and illustrated around 180 children's books is a writer/illustrator and a jazz afficianado playing guitar and keyboards with small local bands. Late 60s and early 70s ran a design group in London with Eric Hill. Moved to the country in the late 70s to write and illustrate children's books. Lives in a lovely old village house in South West France within a few miles of some of the most beautiful beaches in the country.Is married to painter Caroline Smith a prolific and talented artist, author and illustrator. Caroline has designed four tarot decks for which John wrote the books. John has four children and five grandchildren.