Catherine Jacob

Catherine Jacob is an award-winning television correspondent and author of Betsy Buglove Saves the Bees illustrated by Lucy Fleming, Santa's Special Gift illustrated by Ag Jatkowska, and the Puppy Club series illustrated by Rachael Saunders. She lives in York where she tries to squeeze in as much story writing time as possible, in between looking after her three lovely (slightly mischievous) children and occasionally appearing on TV reporting the news. Find her on Instagram @catherinejacobwriter and on X @cathjacobnews.

Simon James

An acclaimed author and illustrator, creator of the Red House Children's Book Award-winning Baby Brains.

Kathryn James

Lauren James

Lauren James is the Carnegie-longlisted author of many young adult novels, including Last Seen Online, Green Rising, The Reckless Afterlife of Harriet Stoker, The Quiet at the End of the World and The Loneliest Girl in the Universe. She is an RLF Royal Fellow at Aston University and the story consultant on Netflix's Heartstopper (Seasons 2 and 3). Her books have sold over two hundred thousand copies worldwide in seven languages. The Quiet at the End of the World was shortlisted for the YA Book Prize and the STEAM Children's Book Award. Lauren is the founder of the Climate Fiction Writers League, and a member of the Society of Author's Sustainability Committee. She is the editor of the Future Hopes anthology and works as a consultant on climate storytelling, with a focus on optimism and hope. She also runs a Queer Writers group in Coventry, where she lives.

Gordon C. James

Monique James-Duncan

Jarvis

Jarvis studied Graphic Design and previously worked as a record sleeve designer, website designer and an animation director before becoming a children’s bookmaker. His titles with Walker Books include Bear and Bird, an illustrated fiction series that follows the funny mix-ups and comic misunderstandings between a pair of best friends. The first of six titles, Bear and Bird: The Picnic and Other Stories, was the Indie Book of the Month on release and has been published into 15 different territories. His picture books include Follow Me, Flo!, Tropical Terry, Mrs Mole, I’m Home!, Thank You, The Boy with Flowers in His Hair, which won the 2023 Oscar’s Book Prize and the Indies Book Prize, and Alan’s Big, Scary Teeth, which won the V&A Best Illustrated Book. He is also the illustrator of the much-loved Pick a Pine Tree, Pick a Pumpkin and Pick a Perfect Egg series written by Patricia Toht. His titles have over sold 1.6 million copies worldwide and have been published into over 25 languages. Jarvis lives in Manchester with his wife and their dog Milo. Follow him on X as @heyimjarvis and on Instagram as @booksbyjarvis.

Mina Javaherbin

Mina Javaherbin is an award-winning Iranian-American children’s picture book author. Her book Goal!, illustrated by A.G. Ford, has been translated into twelve African languages and was selected as the New York Public Library’s Best Books of the Year list 2010. Her book Soccer Star (Football Star) with illustrator Renato Alarcao was given two honorable mentions in the International Latin Book Awards 2015. Mina has collaborated with illustrator Lindsey Yankey for books My Grandma and Me and, most recently, My Father’s House. Mina lives in California with her husband and two football-obsessed children. Find her online at minajavaherbin.net and on Instagram as @javaherbinwriter.

Oliver Jeffers