Nikki (Nikola) Slade Robinson was born in Te Puke in 1968.From the age of five years, she drew constantly, read widely and wanted to make children’s books when she grew up. She was educated at Woodlands School and Opotiki College, and studied for a Diploma of Visual Communications Design (Illustration) at Wellington Polytechnic. Her writing and illustrating career began with freelance work and submitting her portfolio to publishers. She illustrated her first book at age 21.