Elizabeth Jane Shingleton

Elizabeth was born in bayside Melbourne. At six years old, she proclaimed that she wanted to be a newsreader, or a ballerina if that didn’t work out. Many years later, she left school with a love of words and a passion for performance.

After completing a Bachelor of Arts (Media Studies), life steered itself towards the entertainment industry and she found herself working on television programs including Neighbours and Blue Heelers.

In 2001, Elizabeth decided to nose around on the other side of the world. For three years, she traipsed across countries far and wide, including a trip to meet her relatives in Italy, and studied children’s writing.

Back in Melbourne, she dived headfirst into a Master of Arts (Professional Communication), worked as a freelance writer and returned to acting … until the opportunity arose to journey up the east coast of Australia via the sea. She was not at all prepared for the big waves, or even the medium-sized ones, but curious dolphins and playful whales made up for it.

Safely back on dry land and living in Sydney, Elizabeth teamed up with illustrator Paula Ferendinos to turn Swat! into a reality.

Paula was born in Mozambique. As a teenager she moved to South Africa with her family where she attended school in the friendly community of Zululand. She then completed her Bachelor of Arts degree and got married.

In 2003, Paula and her husband and two daughters arrived in Australia. Since then they have extended their family to include one gorgeous staffie and two capricious horses!

Having worked as a children’s wear designer in South Africa, Paula continued with her graphic design supplying the local children’s clothing industry, first as an in-house graphic artist at a high profile manufacturer and then freelancing for the same.

Elizabeth and Paula are over the moon to be publishing Swat! with Little Steps Books and hope that small children everywhere will enjoy it.