Holly Sterling was born in Dublin and grew up in southern England. She studied Illustration and Design at the University of Sunderland, and is currently studying for an MFA in Illustration at Edinburgh College of Art. She was Highly Commended for the Macmillan Illustration Prize in 2013, and winner of the Seven Stories/Frances Lincoln Illustration Competition in 2012. Holly also competes for her country in karate; she is a double National Champion and Gold and Bronze medallist from the WSKA World Championships. She lives near Sunderland. She is the illustrator of 15 Things Not to Do with a Baby, 15 Things Not to Do with a Granny, 15 Things Not to Do with a Puppy and the author/ illustrator of Hiccups.