Colin West was born in 1951 and studied Graphic Design at Wolverhampton Polytechnic, and Illustration at the Royal College of Art, London.

He has written over sixty children's books, and aims to continue till he runs out of ideas!

The Times Educational Supplement wrote:

Colin West'sThe Big Book of Nonsense will surely enhance his reputation as one of our most consistently witty children's poets.  Liberally illustrated in colour by West himself (he produces picture books as well as poetry), this book should be in every teacher's personal library, on hand should an opportunity for five minutes of off-message, anarchic laughter present itself.

TES PRIMARY Oct 2001

Colin lives in Epping in a house which once served as a laundry.  He lists his interests as music, art, old buildings, and most of all, collecting other people's books.