Mabel Mnensa is an avid reader, poet, and writer. A lover of words and stories, she completed her Master’s degrees with distinctions—an MA in English Literature from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (2010) and an MA in Creative Writing from University College Dublin (2022). Her published work ranges from children’s picture stories to prose that explores alternate worlds and realities. Mabel’s debut children’s picture book, Kantiga Finds the Perfect Name was written, inspired by her niece and the stories she was told growing up. 

Chantelle and Burgen Thorne are internationally published illustrators with over 20 years’ experience in educational publishing. Avid bookworms themselves, they take great delight in the visual storytelling of picture books, art and text working together, every word and every image adding to the reader’s experience. They also illustrated Wanda by Sihle Nontshokweni & Mathabo Tlali.