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Meet the authors

Every week a popular children's author or illustrator of the week will provide you with free books and exclusive video content.

Liz Pichon headshot

Current and past authors of the week

  • Josh Lacey

    Josh Lacey

    Josh Lacey is the author of many books for children including The Dragonsitter, A Dog Called Grk, Bearkeeper, and The Island of Thieves.

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  • Joan Haig

    Joan Haig

    Joan Haig, born in Zambia, was weaned on avocadoes and stories. She has travelled and worked all over the world and now lives with her husband, children and cats in a small cottage in the Scottish Borders.

    Joan’s debut novel, is called Tiger Skin Rug.

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  • Adam Baron

    Adam Baron

    Adam is the author of six highly acclaimed novels, which have been widely translated and adapted for BBC Radio 4. His first novel for children Boy Underwater, was named Waterstones Book of the Month was shortlisted for the Carnegie Award. His second novel You Won't Believe This was published in June 2019.   

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  • Sophie Dahl credit Matt Easton.jpg

    Sophie Dahl

    Sophie Dahl began her working life as a model, but books and words were her first love. Sophie lives in the countryside with her husband, daughters, rescue dog, cat and tortoise. Madame Badobedah is her first book for children.

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  • Eoin Colfer headshot.jpg

    Eoin Colfer

    Eoin Colfer worked as a teacher before turning his attention fo full-time writing for children. He is best known for his phenomenally successful Artemis Fowl series. Eoin lives with his family in Ireland.

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  • Lauren Child headshot

    Lauren Child

    Lauren Child is an award-winning artist and writer. She is the creator of many much-loved characters, including Charlie and Lola, Clarice Bean, Hubert Horatio and Ruby Redfort.

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  • Andy Shepherd

    Andy Shepherd

    Andy Shepherd is a children’s writer working on stories for 5-12 year olds. Disclaimer – Please note, all dragon-growing is undertaken entirely at the grower’s own risk and Andy cannot be held responsible for any damage your dragon may cause.

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  • Tom Palmer

    Tom Palmer

    Tom Palmer is the author of 52 children’s books, most of them about sport and history.

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  • David Baddiel

    David Baddiel

    David Baddiel is an author and comedian. His children’s books have sold over 1 million copies.

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  • Jaclyn Moriarty Author of the Week

    Jaclyn Moriarty

    Jaclyn Moriarty is the prize-winning, best-selling author of The Slightly Alarming Tale of the Whispering Wars and The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone.

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  • Bali Rai

    Bali Rai

    Bali Rai's culturally diverse writing often pushes boundaries and tackles a variety of issues. He is passionate about the promotion of literacy and reading for pleasure.

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  • Michael Rosen AOTW

    Michael Rosen

    Michael Rosen is the former Children's Laureate and one of the best-known figures in the children's book world. He is renowned for his work as a poet, performer, broadcaster and scriptwriter.

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  • Phil Hickes headshot

    Phil Hickes

    Phil loves ghosts, horror, and all things that go bump in the night. The Haunting of Aveline Jones is his first middle-grade novel.

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  • Sharon Davey headshot

    Sharon Davey (illustrator)

    Sharon is a children’s illustrator based in Surrey, England. She loves to draw grumpy kids and comical animals, and also enjoys sliding down stairs on her bottom and collecting plastic dinosaurs.

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  • Liz Pichon headshot

    Liz Pichon

    Liz Pichon is one of the UK’s best-loved and bestselling creators of children’s books. Her Tom Gates series has sold millions of copies worldwide.

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  • Alex T Smith headshot

    Alex T. Smith

    Alex T. Smith is the award-winning creator of the bestselling Claude series. When not working Alex enjoys doodling in his sketchbook, reading, people watching and eavesdropping.

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  • MIchelle Robinson

    Michelle Robinson

    Michelle Robinson is the bestselling, award-winning author of picture books including There’s a Lion in my Cornflakes, A Beginner’s Guide to Bearspotting, Grandmas from Mars, the Goodnight Spaceman series, Ten Fat Sausages and many, many more.

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  • Emily Hamilton illustrator

    Emily Hamilton (illustrator)

    Emily is based in North Devon. She works from her studio at home and likes fine black pens, ocean dips and a good mug for tea.

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  • Zoe Antoniades headshot

    Zoe Antoniades

    Zoe Antoniades was born in West London to Greek Cypriot parents. She has one brother (but they are not twins!)

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  • Katie Kear illustrator

    Katie Kear (illustrator)

    Katie Kear loves drawing, adventures in nature, stationery and finding new inspirational artists.

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  • Greg James.

    Greg James

    Greg James is an award-winning broadcaster and co-author of the Kid Normal series.

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  • Chris Smith

    Chris Smith

    Chris Smith is the co-author of the best-selling, award-winning Kid Normal series with his friend Greg James.

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