Reading Champion: Hippo''s Birthday: Independent Reading Green 5

About Jill Atkins

I am Jill Atkins an escaped teacher now writing for children with 46 books published so far ranging from early reading material to teenage novels. I''m married with two grown-up children and five grandchildren no pets though I used to have three beautiful cats guinea pigs and rabbits. When I was a child we kept chickens and I loved them too. I always have my nose in a book. I read both adult''s and children''s books. My favourite children''s books include The Railway Children by E Nesbit Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson River on the Say by Philippa Pearce. My adult reading varies from Charles Dickens to many modern authors. I enjoy listening to music classical jazz and some pop. Steve Cox is an award-winning illustrator. He studied Graphic Design at Cornwall College of Art graduating with a distinction before moving to a successful career in toy packaging and children''s TV character merchandising. Properties he worked on include Roland Rat and Count Duckula. He later returned to full-time illustration and has been involved in many different projects from simple board books to complex and detailed pop-ups. His first picture book ''Pigs Might Fly'' written by Jonathan Emmett won the ''Books For Younger Children'' category of the Red House Children''s Book Award. He lives in Bath.