Joukje Akveld (b 1974) studied Dutch language and literature in Utrecht. She writes for various newspapers and magazines, and currently discusses theatre in the Amsterdam Newspaper Het Parool, in which she also had a weekly children’s books column. After writing a number of publications about illustrators and authors, she made her picture-book debut in 2012 with Olle wist zeker dat hij geen bril nodig had (Olle Knew for Certain that He Didn’t Need Glasses). Joukje’s books have been published in English, French, German, Danish, Spanish, Complex Chinese and Simplified Chinese. Her love for animals and her anger about the way they are treated is playing an increasingly important role in Akveld’s work.