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. Her recent collaborations with Julia Donaldson include WHAT THE LADYBIRD HEARD and THE RHYMING RABBIT. Lydia was born in Surrey and studied Illustration at Kingston University; a keen Irish dancer, she now lives in Sheffield with her partner and their baby daughter.