The Umbrella

About the Author

Niki Foreman (Author) Niki Foreman (she/her) is an accomplished editor, an author of children's books and a lived-experience advocate for neurodivergent families. With decades of experience in the global book-publishing industry, Niki started her career at DK and Penguin Books in London, and was soon Senior Editor, managing many of the UK's front-list titles with the London creative team to produce award-winning non-fiction children's titles. On her move to Sydney, Niki became a sought-after freelance editor and writer, working with many Australian, UK and US publishers - including Penguin, DK, Walker Books and Hardie Grant - across children's and adult's genres, both fiction and non-fiction. Currently, Niki is Senior Editor at Penguin Random House Australia, a published author and a staunch advocate for real and practical inclusion. Niki is the author of three DK Readers, published in the UK and US- Deadly Dinosaurs, Shark Reef and Snappy Crocodile Tales. She is a contributing author of many non-fiction books, including the intelligently hilarious and gruesomely informative human body book, Open Me Up, and the New York Times bestseller Do Not Open - an encyclopedia of the world's best secrets - and, most recently, Planet Ark's Now For The Good News, which is a CBCA Notable 2025. Niki's advocacy for inclusion extends to everything she does. As well as promoting and championing diverse voices, conscious language and respectful representation in her editorial capacity, Niki is a presenter for the Australian Society of Authors on inclusive language specifically around ableism and disablism, and advises on many inclusive strategies- She is a member of the Australian Publisher's Association D&I advisory board for neurodiversity and disability, was an advisory consultant for Women with Disability Australia on the Neve website, and she has been part of the lived-experience advisory and working groups informing the Labor government's reforms in the disability space. Niki loves the feeling of breaking a paperback's spine and the smell of blown-out candles. She lives in Sydney with her husband and two children, and spends much of her home-time trying not to trip over the cats. Binny Talib (Illustrator) Binny Talib is an award-winning author/illustrator based in inner-city Sydney. She has a whimsical, contemporary style and has illustrated over 30 books here and internationally, ranging from picture, baby board, non-fiction and chapter books. Her illustration work has attracted an honour award from the CBCA and a short-list medal from the Prime Minister's Literary Awards. Her hand-drawn and playful illustrations have secured licensing deals across major Australian and International brands. Binny has illustrated her own wallpaper collection, textiles, children's toys, fashion lines, interior design, books, album covers and greeting cards. Her agency background as an Art and Creative Director, as well as her honors degree in Visual Communications sets her apart in the world of illustration. Binny works with her Border Collie under her feet, and there has never been a dessert she hasn't liked, seriously.