Opal Plumstead Award-winning team by Jacqueline Wilson (author) and Nick Sharratt (illustrator)

Jacqueline Wilson was born in Bath in 1945, but spent most of her childhood in Kingston-on-Thames. She always wanted to be a writer and wrote her first “novel” when she was nine, filling countless Woolworths’ exercise books as she grew up. Since having her daughter, Emma, she has been writing full time.

Her insightful and emotionally challenging books not only stretch reading ability, but give young readers a glimpse into many kinds of lives. Smart girls, strong girls, bad girls, brave girls. Girls keeping their families going, girls trying to get away… Jacqueline Wilson’s written about them all! These powerful stories of plucky girls in difficult circumstances won’t fail to strike a chord.

She has written over 70 best-selling books, and several have even been adapted for TV – most famously The Story of Tracy Beaker. Her signing sessions attract huge crowds of fans and last for hours! Over 25 million copies of her books have now been sold in the UK alone.

In 2007 Jacky Daydream was published, an inspirational true story of how a shy schoolgirl became a superstar author. This was followed by My Secret Diary, a captivating account of Jacky’s teenage years.

In June 2002 Jacqueline was given an OBE for services to literacy in schools, and she was the Children’s Laureate from 2005-2007. She also became a Dame in December 2007.

Nick Sharratt needs little introduction with books going down a storm time and time again. He has written and illustrated many books for children, and also enjoys great success illustrating books for Jacqueline Wilson and Jeremy Strong.

He was born in 1962 and trained at the St Martin’s School of Art. Inspired by 1960s pop and graphic art, his work is instantly recognisable for its bold images and punchy colours. With lots of moving tabs, flaps to lift and other interactive features, as well as exciting wordplay and cheeky humour, Nick’s books let children discover all the different ways in which books and words can work.

He lives and works in Brighton, in a studio overlooking the sea.