Princess Mirror-Belle and the Sea Monster's Cave

Julia Donaldson has written some of the world's best-loved children's books, including modern classics The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child, which together have sold over 18 million copies worldwide and have been translated into over one hundred languages. Her other books include Room on the Broom, Stick Man and Zog, illustrated by Axel Scheffler, The Hospital Dog, illustrated by Sara Ogilvie and the hugely successful What the Ladybird Heard adventures, illustrated by Lydia Monks. Julia also writes fiction, including the Princess Mirror-Belle series, illustrated by Lydia Monks, as well as poems, plays and songs – and her brilliant live shows are always in demand. She was the UK Children’s Laureate 2011–13 and has been honoured with a CBE for Services to Literature. Julia divides her time between West Sussex and Edinburgh.

Sophie Thompson's many screen credits include Four Weddings and a Funeral, Persuasion, Emma, Dancing at Kughnasa, The Railway Children, Relative Values and Gosford Park. She received an Olivier Award for Best Actress for Into the Woods.