Reading Champion: Gerda's Journey

About the Author

Katie Woolley (Author)

Katie Woolley is a creative and versatile editor and writer who has worked on children's books for all age levels, from board books, novelty books and picture books to non fiction, licensed publishing and educational books and apps. Katie has more than 10 years' publishing experience; she has written, commissioned, edited and project managed a variety of titles for some of the biggest children's publishers, such as Ladybird Books and Hachette Children's Books.

James Croft (Illustrator)

James Croft graduated from Wolverhampton University with a first in Illustration. Over the last 25 years, he has worked as a freelance illustrator.

He began his career creating illustrations for magazines and advertising campaigns. He has also worked on children's books and mural designs. At first, he used acrylic paints, posca pens and chalk pastels, but over the last few years, he has created artwork digitally and often combines hand-painted art with digital images.

James has had more than 40 books published and has worked with dozens of clients, such as Aardman, Marks and Spencers, BBC, Macmillan and Penguin.

In 2016, he painted an elephant for 'Herd of Sheffield'. This was Sheffield's biggest public art event to date and consisted of 58 enormous fibreglass elephants placed on a trail across the city.

Since then, he has created many more public art projects. This includes dozens of hospital murals. He aims to bring art out of the gallery and make it more accessible.