Julia Donaldson has written some of the world's best-loved children's books, including modern classics The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child, which together have sold over 25 million copies worldwide and have been translated into over one hundred languages. Her other books include Room on the Broom, Stick Man and Zog, illustrated by Axel Scheffler, The Hospital Dog, illustrated by Sara Ogilvie and the hugely successful What the Ladybird Heard adventures, illustrated by Lydia Monks. Julia also writes fiction, including the Princess Mirror-Belle series, illustrated by Lydia Monks, as well as poems, plays and songs - and her brilliant live shows are always in demand. She was the UK Children's Laureate 2011-13 and has been honoured with a CBE for Services to Literature. Julia and her husband Malcolm divide their time between West Sussex and Edinburgh.


David Roberts is an award-winning illustrator who has earned great acclaim for his distinctive illustrations. Born in Liverpool, he has a degree in fashion design, but he always felt his true calling was in children's book illustration and now pursues that dream from his flat in London. His previous work includes collaborations with his sister Lynn on retellings of several classic fairy stories, including Little Red which was shortlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal. David is the illustrator of the New York Times bestselling picture books Rosie Revere, Engineer and Ada Twist, Scientist, written by Andrea Beaty. David has also collaborated with Julia Donaldson on several Macmillan picture books, including Jack and the Flumflum Tree, The Troll and The Flying Bath.