Colin Dann was born in Richmond, Surrey. His interest in natural history was fostered by studying the local wildlife in Richmond Park, and wildlife success came at the age of ten, when he won a London Schools Essay Competition set by the RSPCA. His prize was a copy of the Wind in the Willows. For many years he worked for Collins, the publishers. It was during this period that his concern for conservation lead him to write his first novel, The Animals of Farthing Wood, which won the Arts Council National Award for Children's Literature in 1980.

Other titles by Colin Dann include:

-The Ram of Sweetriver (1986)
-King of the Vagabonds (1987)
-The Beach Dogs (1988)
-Just Nuffin (1989)
-A Great escape (1990)
-A Legacy of Ghosts (1991)
-The City Cats (1991)