The Grunts All at Sea

Philip Ardagh

Roald Dahl Funny Prize winning author Philip Ardagh is the author of The Grunts. He is probably best known for his Eddie Dickens adventures, translated into over thirty languages, and for his Grubtown Tales, but he is author of over 100 books. He collaborated with Sir Paul McCartney on the ex-Beatle’s only children’s book, and wrote the BBC’s first truly interactive radio series, Arthur Story and the Department of historical Correction. 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

Axel was born in Hamburg, Germany. At school he was good at art, but didn't think of a career in illustration until he won a cuddly purple cow in a drawing competition. He moved to England in 1982 to study illustration at the Bath Academy of Art, and then set up home in London.

He was the illustrator for Julia Donaldson's first picture book, A Squash and a Squeeze - the start of a hugely successful partnership. Their bestselling modern classic, The Gruffalo, has sold millions of copies. His books have been translated into 42 languages.