Ann Jungman was born in London, of German Jewish refugees. She grew up in North London, had a very ordinary childhood and there were certainly no signs of interest in, or particular ability at, writing. After studying law at Exeter University, she read for the Bar at Gray’s Inn. To get some money while studying Ann did some supply teaching. This seemed much more fun and challenging than law, so she decided to train to become a primary school teacher. She says the best bit about this was reading books to children.

Ann began to invent her own stories; the children liked them and she was encouraged enough to write them down. After some years she got one published, ‘Fang the Fiery Dragon’. When a friend invited her to go on a weeks holiday to Romania she found herself in Vampire Land - Transylvania - and there ‘Vlad the Drac’ was born. Vlad has been a huge success and in all six books have been written, translated into many languages, and broadcast on radio and television.

Ann has also written about wolves, witches, trolls, dragons and Frank N Stein’s Monster. “Monsters are fun!” she says, “You can do what you like with them, reality doesn’t have to be taken into account. Anyway, all my monsters turn out to be nice really.” Ann’s books range from picture books to full length novels and cover an age range of three to thirteen. Recent books include the much praised ‘The Most Magnificent Mosque’, and a trilogy about World War II, ‘Resistance’, ‘Betrayal’ and ‘Siege’. Ann is currently writing a novel about the Australian Gold Rush, as well as running her publishing company Barn Owl Books. Barn Owl Books is an independent publishing company that re-releases out-of-print childrens books, publishing 8 books a year.