Biographical note

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 17 million copies worldwide, and the hugely successful What the Ladybird Heard adventures. Julia also writes fiction, including the Princess Mirror-Belle books illustrated by Lydia Monks, as well as poems, plays and songs - and her brilliant live shows are always in demand. She was 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.

Nick Sharratt is one of today's best-loved children's illustrators with close to 250 books to his name and a Nestle Gold Medal-win under his belt. His collaborations with Julia Donaldson include Chocolate Mousse for Greedy Goose, Goat Goes to Playgroup and Animal Music. In addition to his picture books, Nick also illustrates for older children too, most notably creating the illustrations for the stories of Jacqueline Wilson. Nick lives in Edinburgh.