David Almond

David is the author of the critically acclaimed, multi-awarding novels Skellig, My Name is Mina, Counting Stars, The Savage, Island, A Song for Ella Grey, The Colour of the Sun and many other stories, picture books, librettos, songs, and plays. His work is translated into 40 languages, and is widely adapted for stage and screen. His major awards include the Carnegie Medal, two Whitbread Awards, the Eleanor Farjeon Award, the Michael L Printz Award (USA), Le Prix Sorcières (France) and the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize. In 2010 he won the Hans Christian Andersen Award, the world’s most prestigious prize for children’s authors. David speaks at festivals and conferences around the world and is widely regarded as one of the most exciting, inspirational and innovative children’s authors writing today. He is married to the author, Julia Green, and has one amazing daughter. He lives on the North East coast.

David’s Paper Boat, Paper Bird, was published by Hachette Children’s in August 2022. This stunning story sees the return of Mina (from the unforgettable Skellig and My Name is Mina) as she journeys to Japan and discovers the wonders of the world around her. He also recently authored The Woman Who Turned Children into Birds (2022) for Walker Books and Puppet (2024), which is a heart-warming story that shows anything is possible with imagination and trust.

David’s latest book, The Falling Boy (Hodder, 2024) is a brilliant coming-of-age story about hope, friendship and conquering your fears.

Photo courtesy of Donna-Lisa Heal