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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 18 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 divides her time between West Sussex and Edinburgh. Catherine Rayner is a multi award winning author and illustrator based in Edinburgh. Her books for children have sold over two million copies worldwide, been translated into 35 languages, and adapted for television, theatre and musicals. She has written and illustrated more than 20 of her own books and collaborated with renowned authors including Julia Donaldson, Michael Morpurgo, and Michael Bond.
Winner of the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal in 2009, Catherine has since been shortlisted a further six times. Her work has earned numerous accolades in the UK and US, including the UKLA Book Award, BookTrust Early Years Award, Junior Library Guild Gold Standard and most recently, Books Are My Bag Readers’ Award.
Originally from Yorkshire, Catherine studied Illustration at Edinburgh College of Art. She fell in love with the city and lives there with her family and a small menagerie of animals who continue to inspire her creative work.
Alongside her publishing work, Catherine has designed a successful range of illustrated greetings cards and launched her own babywear collection featuring characters from her books. She regularly exhibits her paintings in galleries across the UK, and her artwork is held in collections worldwide.
Catherine loves meeting readers of all ages and can often be found visiting libraries, schools and book festivals, where she talks passionately about children’s literature and encourages children to draw, read and write. |
