Beth is a graduate of Edinburgh University (MA Hons. Medieval Studies) and the University of Cape Town (PhD computer language support). She is a Fulbright scholar, and worked as a Senior Lecturer at Vista University in Gqeberha, South Africa (1989 -2006), an experience that inspired several of her novels. As a freelance illustrator, Beth has worked on a wide variety of projects for children’s authors, poets, textbooks, and her own grandchildren.  

Beth’s illustrations have won multiple awards, included the Golden Baobab Illustrators prize twice, in 2018 and 2021.  “An African Calendar” was selected as the Bookchat Children’s Book of the Month and of the Year in 2012.