Mrs. Gaccioni is an English teacher at a middle school north of London, and loves to tell her students of her adventures. Maya's Magical Plait is her first published novel. She also enjoys hiking, photography, gardening, travel, and knitting. She has lived around the world, and is always looking for her next adventure. She may or may not possess the magical powers described in the story, but to this day, she keeps her hair very, very short.