Julia Donaldson

Julia Donaldson, Children's Laureate 2011-2013, is one of the UK's best-loved writers for children. Her books with illustrator Axel Scheffler have sold over 75 million copies, and other distinguished illustrators with whom she has worked include Lydia Monks, Nick Sharratt, Rebecca Cobb, Emily Gravett, Helen Oxenbury, David Roberts and Charlotte Voake.

Her latest collaboration with illustrator Axel Scheffler is the No 1 bestseller Jonty Gentoo (Alison Green Books), while the most recent edition to their Tales from Acorn Wood series is Frog's Day Out (Macmillan). Christmas 2024 will see the animated adaptation of Tiddler (Alison Green Books) being shown on the BBC. 

This year she also teamed up again with Lydia Monks for the delightful The Tooth Fairy and the Crocodile (Macmillan). The hilarious Princess Mirror-Belle series (Macmillan) is a delight for middle grade readers and has been dramatised by the BBC.

Julia divides her time between West Sussex and Edinburgh. Her books have won many awards including the Blue Peter Award for Best Illustrated Book to Read Aloud for Room on the Broom (Macmillan), the WH Smith Children's Book of the Year for Zog (Scholastic), and the Scottish Royal Mail Award for What the Ladybird Heard (Macmillan). The TV films of The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom have been nominated for Oscars. She was awarded a CBE in the New Year's Honours List 2018.