Joyce Denham is an experienced author of several books for children and adults, taking her inspiration from Celtic Christianity and the lives of the saints. Her lyrical style sings through in stories. Having had a career in teaching, Joyce now lives in Minneapolis and is the Associate Minister in Adult Education and Formation at her church. Born in Alessandria in 1970. She is a graduate of the European Institute of Design in Milan, where she lives and works. She has been a freelance illustrator since 1993, working mainly in childrens books . She is the illustrator of the Usborne Family Bible and the Usborne Shakespeare series. Since 2000, Elena has worked mostly for Usborne Publishing. She has illustrated The Family Bible, The First Christmas, Stories from Shakespeare, Snowy Day, The Gingerbread Man and Lullabies for them. Elena has also illustrated Gib mir Wurzeln for the German publisher Gabriel, and Le Scarpette di Murano for Mpndadori. She has done many book cover illustrations including several for Sperling and Kupfer and Mondolibri in Italy and circa 10 covers for Christrian Focus Publications in Scotland.