Joe Todd-Stanton grew up in Brighton, England, and was taught to draw by his mother, who is also an illustrator. He studied at UWE Bristol, receiving a first class degree in Illustration. Todd-Stanton has been commissioned to work for clients such as Oxford University Press, Usborne Publishing, and Aquila magazine. His work has been highly praised and his book The Secret of Black Rock was longlisted for The CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2018 and won a 2018 Waterstones Children's Book Prize.

While ultimately Leo and the Gorgon's Curse is a feelgood short it achieves its amiability without ever being frothy or superficial in delivery. There's lots for the younger reader to take away and consider.