Born in South West London, Jennifer Watson grew up in Norfolk. From a young age she loved natural history and developed an eye for art and design. She graduated with a First Class degree from Norwich University of the Arts in 2015, where her focus was bringing weird and wonderful creatures to life. When on maternity leave from working for the National Trust, Jennifer took the opportunity to explore her own design work further and founded Dodo and Dinosaur® with co-author and illustrator, Jill Michelle Smith, in 2021. The pair have since received glowing reviews of their books from both palaeontologists and museums. Aimed at primary school children, their vibrant titles bring extraordinary extinct dinosaurs, birds, reptiles and mammals to life for little explorers in a fun and accessible way. Jill Michelle Smith always dreamed of being an illustrator of children’s books when she was at school but went on to have an early career in exhibition graphics. Since founding Dodo and Dinosaur® with her daughter Jennifer in 2021 she has fulfilled her original ambition and illustrates all their books using her unique pen and watercolour style. Jill is also co-author of their work. The pair have received wonderful reviews of their books from palaeontologists, teachers and museums alike and always enjoy sharing their enthusiasm for their Extraordinary Extinct™ collection through school visits, book readings and special events. Aimed at primary school children, their vibrant collection of three books (so far) bring long gone creatures tolife for young explorers in a fun and accessible way.
