Ivan Wilson and his wife Jill chose to live in the West Coast Region many years ago, after a lot of travel both in New Zealand and overseas. Spadge Returns is his second children's book about the leader of a flock of sparrows. Ivan has also written a memoir called Fishing, a Thread, which he describes as a fishing book that's not completely about fishing. He also writes for The Fishing Paper in New Zealand and the Australian Fish and Boat magazine. While a long time fly fishing enthusiast, he also tickles the ivories at a local nursing home and over the years has played double bass with folk singers, plus keyboards in a band. Apart from that he maintains a kitchen garden and enjoys reading. Ivan is the West Coast councillor for the NZAA Canterbury West Coast council and is retired after careers in Broadcasting, Driver Education, Road Safety and tutoring at a Polytech.
Les Holmes is someone else who is proud to be immersed in life on The Coast and after teaching high school art, has maintained a career as an artist for some 35 plus years. He is very keen on history and his wonderful West Coast paintings are lasting records of both his skills and the buildings and events he depicts. Such is his passion for the past, Les has also been instrumental in helping preserve some important historical landmarks, such as The Miners Hall in Runanga, where he recreated the iconic, original artwork, atop the front of the building. Another very public piece of work, depicting key events in the history of the West Coast region is the series of murals he did on the side of the Greymouth Star building. Les has the ability to do large works on buildings, right down to small illustrations that fit well in books. When Ivan discussed Spadge with Les and asked for some human qualities in the sparrows, Les said "Like Beatrice Potter?" He knew instinctively what was required and so the book came to prove testament to his artistry. Spadge Returns carries this on.
