Tony Maddox is a British artist and a writer of children's books. He was born in Birmingham, and worked there as a commercial artist in an advertising agency. His first book, SPIKE, THE SPARROW WHO COULDN'T SING, was published in 1987. He followed this up with FERGUS THE FARMYARD DOG, which sold well, leading to nine sequels. He has had twenty-one books published which have had worldwide sales and been translated into many languages. His book NOT SO LOUD, OLIVER!, written with Martin Clunes, was shortlisted in the Baby Book category for the 2005 Booktrust Early Years Award.