Martin Waddell is twice winner of the Smarties Book Prize and he also won the Kurt Maschler Award for "The Park in the Dark". He was the Irish nominee for the 2000 Hans Christian Andersen Author Award. This book is part of an "Irish trilogy" including "Starry Night", winner of the 1986 Other Award.

Martin Waddell is widely regarded as one of the finest contemporary writers of books for young people. Twice winner of the Smarties Book Prize - for Farmer Duck and Can't You Sleep, Little Bear? - he also won the Kurt Maschler Award for The Park in the Dark and the Best Books for Babies Award for Rosie's Babies. Among his many other titles are the novels Tango's Baby, The Life and Loves of Zoe T. Curley, The Kidnapping of Suzie Q, The Beat of the Drum and Starry Night, winner of the 1986 Other Award. He was the Irish nominee for the 2000 Hans Christian Andersen Author Award.