Lydia Monks is an award-winning illustrator and author, best known for her quirky and colourful picture books including I Wish I Were a Dog, Aaaarrgghh, Spider! and the Mungo Monkey series. She has successfully collaborated with many authors such as Julia Donaldson ( What the Ladybird Heard, Princess and the Wizard ) and Karen McCombie ( Indie Kidd series), and poets including Carol Ann Duffy ( Skipping Rope Snake, Queen Nibble & Queen Munch ). Her awards include the Stockport Children's Book Award, the Nestle Smarties Prize and the Royal Mail Scottish Children's Book Award.