Chris Powling was editor of the children's book magazine Books for Keeps from 1989-1996 when it won the Eleanor Farjeon Award for services to children's literature, has served on numerous prize panels and is consultant to a national children's book club. He has written more than sixty books for children including The Mustang Machine, The Phantom Carwash, The Conker As Hard As A Diamond and The Multi-Million Pound Mascot.