Biography
Julia Donaldson was born on 16 September 1948 in London. She studied drama and English at the University of Bristol, where she also sang in a folk group with her husband Malcolm. She wrote and performed songs for BBC children's television in the 1970s and 1980s — an experience that gave her the rhythmic ear for language that distinguishes all her books.
Her first picture book, A Squash and a Squeeze, was published in 1993 with illustrations by Axel Scheffler. The Gruffalo (1999), also illustrated by Scheffler, became one of the bestselling children's picture books of all time — selling over 13 million copies worldwide and being translated into over 70 languages.
Donaldson has written over 200 books, nearly all in rhyme. Her partnership with Axel Scheffler has produced the most successful body of picture book work in British publishing history. Other major collaborations include Zog (2010), The Highway Rat (2011), The Snail and the Whale (2003) and Tiddler (2007).
She was appointed Children's Laureate from 2011 to 2013 and was awarded an MBE in 2011. She lives in Edinburgh with her husband.