Freddie Spector, Fact Collector: Space Cadet

About the Author

Ashleigh Barton (Author)

Ashleigh Barton is a children's author and copywriter. Before writing full time, she pursued her love of books (children's books especially) by working in some of Australia's biggest publishing houses, running marketing and publicity campaigns for globally renowned authors and illustrators. Ashleigh is the author of eight successful and highly acclaimed picture books and two junior fiction series, and has been recognised on the CBCA Notables and/or Shortlist in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Her picture book Dinosaur in My Pocket was a 2025 CBCA Notable Book. In 2025 Ashleigh published her acclaimed middle grade fiction book How to Sail to Somewhere and her picture book Hedgehog or Echidna? will be published in August 2025. Ashleigh lives in Sydney with her husband, three children and their dog.

Peter Cheong (Illustrator)

Books have always been a vital part of Peter Cheong's life. Growing up reading Roald Dahl and having adventures with Calvin and Hobbes, Peter was heavily influenced by the way Quentin Blake and Bill Watterson brought stories to life. After spending several years in the Australian Army, Peter decided to pursue his dream of a career in books. He is the illustrator of I'm a Hero Too, Nothing Alike and Anh Do's Pow Pow Pig series, and has written and illustrated his own debut children's book, Every Night at Midnight. Peter lives in Perth (Whadjuk Country), Western Australia, with his very understanding wife and son and less understanding cat.