Philip Ardagh (Author) Roald Dahl Funny Prize winning author Philip Ardagh is the author of The Grunts. He is probably best known for his Grubtown Tales, but he is author of over 100 books. He is a regular irregular reviewer of children's books for The Guardian, and is currently developing a series for television. Philip Ardagh is two metres tall with a ridiculously big, bushy beard and size sixteen feet, making him an instantly recognisable figure at literary festivals around the world. Axel Scheffler (Illustrator) Axel is best known for his partnership with Julia Donaldson, including The Squash and the Squeeze and The Gruffalo. Axel has illustrated a number of other highly successful books, including Muddle Farm, and his books have been translated into 42 languages. Axel lives in London with his partner and young daughter.