Julia Donaldson is the outrageously talented, prize-winning author of the world's best-loved children's books, and was the 2011-2013 Children's Laureate. Her picture books include the modern classic The Gruffalo, which has sold over 13.5 million copies worldwide, and the hugely successful What the Ladybird Heard and What the Ladybird Heard Next. 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. Julia and her husband Malcolm divide their time between West Sussex and Edinburgh.