Julia Donaldson is the UK's most successful picture book author; her titles include the acknowledged modern classic, THE GRUFFALO (978-0-333-71093-7), illustrated by Axel Scheffler and the young fiction series PRINCESS MIRROR-BELLE, also illustrated by Lydia Monks. Julia's brilliant events for children at schools, libraries and literary festivals are always in demand. Lydia Monks is one of the most original picture book artists working today. Her distinctive use of colour and collage has won her critical acclaim and several awards, including the Smarties Prize.

Joel Stewart is one of Macmillan's brightest stars. He graduated from Falmouth College of Arts with a first class degree and won the Macmillan Prize in 2000. He has illustrated the critically acclaimed UNDERWATER FARMYARD (HB 0 333 96063 7, PB 0333 96064 5), and the follow-up, MOON ZOO, which also publishes this month in hardback (1 405 02049 0).