Welcome to the World

Julia Donaldson was born in 1948. She grew up in London and studied at Bristol University. She worked for a few years in publishing and as a teacher, while also writing and performing songs and street theatre with her husband Malcolm, and writing and directing two musicals for children. She has written over a hundred books and plays for children and teenagers, including the award-winning stories The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom and Superworm, which are among the UK's best-selling picture books. Julia has won many awards, including the Smarties and Blue Peter Awards and was the children's laureate 2011-2013. Julia Donaldson lives in Sussex with her husband, Malcolm, who often joins her on stage for their sell-out singalong shows.

Helen Oxenbury has charmed generations of children with her award-winning illustrations. She has won the Kate Greenaway medal and the Kurt Maschler Award and her numerous books include We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll.