Axelle Vanhoof was born in Villeneuve d’Ascq‚ in the north of France. She studied illustration at Saint–Luc Tournai‚ then again at Saint–Luc Liège where she received her diploma in 2013. Her work was immediately recognized by editors as soon as she finished school. Tom Goes to School is her first picture book‚ and since then‚ she has worked for different publishers as well as for children’s magazines.