Shiny Seaside

Helen Stephens grew up in County Durham and currently lives in Darlington with her partner and little girl. She studied illustration at Glasgow School of Art and began working as a freelance illustrator in 1994. She worked as an editorial illustrator for a few years before writing her first book in 1998. She has written and illustrated many popular books for children which have been published worldwide in a variety of languages. As well as writing her own stories she has also produced books in collaboration with other authors including Roger McGough, Simon Mason and Sophie Hannah.

Blue Horse and Tilly won Best World Theme Story in 2002, Twinkly Night was shortlisted for the Sainsbury’s Baby Book Award 2002 and Poochie-Poo won the AOI Images Silver Award 2003. Fleabag was shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Award 2009.

Helen is a lecturer on Cambridge School of Art's MA in Illustrating for Children.