Julia Catherine Donaldson was born on Sept. 16, 1948 in London. She is a British writer and playwright and the 2011-2013 Children's Laureate. She is known for her rhyming stories for children. These include: The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom and Stick Man. She began writing songs for children's television but has focused on writing books when the words of one of her songs - A Squash and a Squeeze were made into a children's book in 1993. She has over 180 published works with 120 of them intended for school use and include her Songbirds phonic reading scheme, which is part of the Oxfird Reading Tree. She has won several awards including: The Stockport Book Award for her title The Troll, The Oxfordshire Book Award for her title Zog and The Oldham Book Award for her title Jack and the Flumflum Tree. In 2015 The Gruffalo made The New Zealand Best Seller List.
Rebecca Cobb is a rising star in children's picture books. Since graduating from Falmouth College of Arts in 2004, she has illustrated for many clients including Guardian Guide, Guardian Weekend magazine, The Independent and Waitrose Food Illustrated. Rebecca has collaborated on two picture storybooks with the Orange-Prize winner Helen Dunmore, both set in her native Cornwall. In addition, Rebecca's stunning illustrations accompanied Julia's Donaldson's wonderfully lyrical story in The Paper Dolls and The Everywhere Bear. In 2011 Macmillan published Rebecca's debut solo project, the hugely accomplished Missing Mummy which approached the subject of child bereavement with great honesty, sensitivity and integrity. Lunchtime is Rebecca's second solo picture book, and although wholly different in subject matter from her first, features the same stunning illustration style and child-friendly voice. Aunt Amelia, Rebecca Cobb's third picture book, is every bit as warm, engaging and original as her existing books, and is sure to continue to establish her as a real 'one to watch'.