Jess Stockham was born in 1957 in Luton and lived in a village in Hertfordshire until she was 17.She completed a foundation year at Watford Art College, and then left full time education to move to Exeter and become a waitress. She then moved to West Yorkshire and started a leather goods business with her husband, Steve. She lived there for 18 years and had two sons, Matt and Ed.In 1990 she started illustrating full-time for various popular women’s magazines and mother and baby publications. In 1995 she moved to West Wales with her family where she has lived and illustrated for the past twelve years.

“Each book in the First Time series addresses an issue relevant to preschoolers' lives. Children in the illustrations are shown engaging in new experiences, always smiling, while surrounded by loving adults and friends. The pleasant cartoon art features uncluttered, brightly colored scenes.”