Lydia Monks is a best-selling children’s book author and illustrator. Her first picture book, I Wish I Were a Dog, won the Smarties book prize in 1998. She has since been nominated for many awards for her work including The Greenaway, The Scottish Book Prize and The Nibbies. As well as writing her own books, Lydia has illustrated for many authors including Roger McGough, Carol Ann Duffy and Floella Benjamin, but is best known for her collaborations with Julia Donaldson. Their series of What the Ladybird Heard stories has sold over 4 million copies worldwide and is currently being adapted into a TV series by Tiger Aspect. After living for many years in London, Lydia moved to Sheffield. Her latest book, Adoette was inspired by the Sheffield Tree Protests. She lives with her family and poodle on the outskirts of the city.