Tony Barber met Billy Thorpe in 1963, and found himself, shortly after, playing in Australia's most popular band, The Aztecs.

After writing, recording and performing as a member of the original Aztecs, Tony Barber walked away to pursue other musical interests. He has several hit records of his own, including Someday, and worked as a record producer, journalist and songwriter.

He designed an innovative range of children's mobiles, and installed them in spectacular retail displays. He then created and designed the classic children's soft toy the Puggle, which was licensed internationally, and wrote seven Puggle Tales. As 'Tony the Toymaker', he appeared regularly on Australian TV and in a series of children's videos.

Tony lived and worked in Los Angeles for several years, where Billy Thorpe joined him in his toy design business. While there, he served as a creative consultant to Twentieth Century Fox, Disney, Hasbro and Mattel.

Returning to Australia in 1989, Tony wrote a children's book, The Lost Forest and opened Australia's first fantasy-themed retail stores under the same name. He designed the soft toy versions of Bananas in Pyjamas and Blinky Bill, as well as designing for corporate clients including BP, Kellogg's, Coles Myer and the Melbourne Zoo.

Since 1995, Tony has presented his one-man show Creative Challenges in schools throughout Australia. This funny, fast-moving and innovative show delivers messages for children and teachers alike. It is designed to nurture creative thinking and imagination, and to encourage children to read more books and write their own stories.

Tony Barber titles include:

Freaky Fearless Fred: The Bouncing Balls of Death
Freaky Fearless Fred: The Exploding Dwarf
Bullies and How to Drive them Bonkers

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