Julia Donaldson is a top selling author of children’s books with over 65 million books sold worldwide. Among her greatest successes are Room on the Broom, The Gruffalo and Stick Man (all illustrated by Axel Scheffler), What the Ladybird Heard (illustrated by Lydia Monks) and The Giant Jumperee (illustrated by Helen Oxenbury). Julia’s books have been translated into over 72 languages.

Julia lives in the UK with her husband Malcolm and divides her time between Sussex in the South and Edinburgh in Scotland. From 2011 to 2013, she was the UK Children’s Laureate. Julia writes fiction, poems, plays and songs, as well as picture books. The TV films of The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom have both been nominated for Oscars.

Lydia Monks is one of the most original picture book artists working today.

Her distinctive use of colour and collage has won her critical acclaim and several awards, including the Smarties Prize.

Her collaborations with Julia include What the Ladybird Heard, The Singing Mermaid and Sugarlump and the Unicorn. Lydia lives in Sheffield.