Atinuke was born in Nigeria and spent her childhood in both Africa and the UK. She is the author of the best-selling Anna Hibiscus series, as well as Africa, Amazing Africa: Country by Country, illustrated by Mouni Feddag, and the celebrated Too Small Tola, illustrated by Onyinye Iwu. Atinuke started her career as an oral storyteller of tales from the African continent; now she writes about contemporary life in Nigeria. Atinuke lives on a mountain overlooking the sea in Wales.

Onyinye Iwu was born in Italy to Nigerian parents and moved to England when she was thirteen. She is a designer, illustrator, and educator. She is also the illustrator of Too Small Tola, which was her first book for children. Onyinye Iwu lives in London.