Animal Gym by Rhiannon Oliver

Rhiannon Oliver is a poet, actress, workshop facilitator, and early years story-time leader based in Cardiff. She trained as an actress at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and has worked in theatres such as The National Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe, and National Theatre of Wales.  

‘Fresh’, Rhiannon’s debut poetry collection for children aged 8+, will be illustrated by Chris Riddell and published by Firefly Press in April 2026. Her poems feature in anthologies from Oxford University Press, Macmillan Children’s Books, and Firefly Press. She has also been widely published in children’s poetry magazines and websites, including The Caterpillar, Tyger Tyger, The Toy, The Dirigible Balloon, Northern Gravy, and Paperbound. Rhiannon regularly visits schools and community settings to run writing and performing poetry workshops. 

Rhiannon is a higher level Welsh learner. She took part in Big Welsh Rhyme Time 2023 and is delighted to be returning in 2026. 

There is more on her website.

Leonie Servini is an artist and children’s book illustrator. 

Originally from rural north-east Wales she now calls Cardiff home. 

Leonie loves nothing more than making people smile with her illustrations. 

Her work ​‘How are you feeling, Little Mouse?/ Sut wyt ti’n teimlo, Llygoden Fach?’ was BookTrust’s Book of the Day and BookTrust Cymru’s Book of the Month in October 2023. 

Leonie’s most recent title with Author Mari George, ​‘Sally’s Tale/​Diwrnod Cyntaf Wini’ is featured in BookTrust’s Great Books Guide 2025–26. 

You can find more of Leonie’s work on her website. 

Follow Leonie on Instagram.

Illustrations by Leonie Servini