Authors and illustrators

Karl Newson is a bestselling, multi-award-winning children’s book author. His stories have been translated into 30 languages around the world. Karl grew up in Norwich, England, and was inspired to write his first story when his children were small… he’s been writing stories ever since. When Karl isn’t writing, he enjoys listening to music and walking in the woods. Karl lives in London.

James Harris is one of Middlesbrough’s tallest authors. He writes children’s books, shopping lists and sentences that end with unexpected rabbits. In his spare time he enjoys making stuff with his friends: homemade comics, music, comedy shows, zines, daft little films and some truly awesome sandwiches.

Jodie Parachini is the author of twenty books for children. She is originally from New England but now lives in (the original) England, with her family, along with Lucky the cat and Sammy the dog. Her favourite word is “ramble”, which is something her words, and her legs, like to do.

Joanne has always loved anything creative and from a young age has enjoyed painting, colouring, sticking and glueing – anything messy! Joanne studied Illustration at Loughborough College of Art and Design. She now lives in West Sussex with her husband, two boys, and two cats. Since graduating, Joanne has illustrated children’s picture books for many different publishers. She enjoys incorporating a variety of materials in her work to create bright, bold characters and loves drawing animals.