EDGE: I HERO: Immortals: Ninja

As 50% of the 2Steves, Steve Barlow has written over 250 books with Steve Skidmore since they first appeared in 1988. Born in Crewe, he was educated at Crewe Grammar School, Warwick University and Nottingham University before a varied career in teaching, acting, stage management and puppetry. He worked in a village school in Botswana for four years before returning to the UK. The Two Steves have toured extensively in the UK and overseas, and to book festivals including Edinburgh and Hay. Steve Skidmore writes with Steve Barlow as Britain's most popular comedy writing and performing double act for young people - The 2 Steves! He was born in Birstall near Leicester. He went to Nottingham University to read English, but spent most of his time playing sport and doing a variety of jobs including counting pastry pie lids. He trained as a teacher of Drama, English and Film, before teaming up with Steve Barlow as a full-time author. He lives in Leicester and is a great rugby fan (Come on you Tiiigeeers!).

An excellent way to get children -- and especially reluctant readers -- to engage with books