The Mona Lisa Mystery

PAT HUTCHINS grew up in a small village in North Yorkshire, and spent most of her time drawing and writing stories. At sixteen she won a scholarship to study illustration at Darlington School of Art and then went on to Leeds College of Art. After graduating, she worked as a junior Art Director for an advertising agency where she met her future husband, Laurence. Together they moved to America for two years where Pat worked as an illustrator. Her first picture book, Rosie's Walk, was published in New York and received a 1968 ALA Notable Book award. Since moving back to England Pat has produced over forty books for children, and she has won many prizes including the highly prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal in 1974 for The Wind Blew. Pat's books have been translated into many different languages and she has visited schools and libraries all over the world.