Julia Donaldson, the 2011-13 UK Children's Laureate, is the outrageously talented, prize-winning author of the world's most-loved picture books, including The Gruffalo. Julia also writes fiction as well as poems, plays and songs - and her brilliant live children's shows are always in demand. Julia and her husband Malcolm divide their time between West Sussex and Edinburgh. 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.