Asun Balzola was born in Bilbao in 1942 and is a writer, illustrator, and translator. She studied painting at the Fine Arts Academy in San Fernando, Madrid and worked for an industrial printer in Bilbao. She lived in Italy for a spell and, on her return to Spain, decided to move to Madrid. From that point on, in 1975, she dedicated herself wholly to writing and drawing. She has illustrated both books of her own creation as well as textbooks working mostly for Spanish publishers but also for other European publishers and several in the United States; not to forget her work in the press, advertising and as a graphic designer. She was the first female president of the Association of Illustrators in Madrid. She was awarded a Bratislava Golden Apple in recognition of her work as an illustrator and also won the Lazarillo prize and the National illustration prize among others. She died in Madrid in 2006.