Julia Donaldson is the author of some of the world's best-loved children's books, including modern classics The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child, which together have sold over 17 million copies worldwide, and the hugely successful What the Ladybird Heard adventures. Julia also writes fiction, including the Princess Mirror-Belle books illustrated by Lydia Monks, as well as poems, plays and songs - and her brilliant live shows are always in demand. Lydia Monks. collaborations with Julia Donaldson include The Singing Mermaid, the Princess Mirror-Belle books, Sugarlump and the Unicorn and the phenomenally successful What the Ladybird Heard.