J.K. Rowling (Author)
J.K. Rowling is the author of the enduringly popular Harry Potter books. After the idea for Harry Potter came to her on a delayed train journey in 1990, she plotted out and started writing the series of seven books and the first, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, was published in the UK in 1997. The series took another ten years to complete, concluding in 2007 with the publication of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
To accompany the series, J.K. Rowling wrote three short companion volumes for charity, Quidditch Through the Ages and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, in aid of Comic Relief and Lumos, and The Tales of Beedle the Bard, in aid of Lumos. She also collaborated on the writing of a stage play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which was published as a script book.
Her other books for children include the fairy tale The Ickabog and The Christmas Pig, which were published in 2020 and 2021 respectively and have also been bestsellers. She is also the author of books for adults, including a bestselling crime fiction series.
J.K. Rowling has received many awards and honours for her writing. She also supports a number of causes through her charitable trust Volant and is the founder of the children's charity Lumos.
To find out more about J.K. Rowling visit jkrowlingstories.com.
Ben Mantle (Illustrator)
Ben Mantle is the illustrator of Shane Hegarty's Boot, shortlisted for the Sainsbury's Children's Book Award. His picture book The Best Birthday Present Ever won the Dundee Picture Book Award and he has illustrated a number of iconic fiction covers such as Piers Torday's The Lost Magician and Jenny McLachlan's The Land of Roar. Ben studied Animation at the Surrey Institute of Art & Design before working as an animator. Since 2008, Ben has been working as a children's book illustrator and also produces screen prints and digital artwork to exhibit. Ben lives in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire.