Princess Milly and the Fancy Dress Festival

Since publishing non-fiction in 1940, Puffin has grown to become one of the most iconic children's entertainment brands in the world. Puffin is home to famous authors, illustrators and children's brands including Roald Dahl, Jacqueline Wilson, Malorie Blackman, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, the Snowman and Diary of a Wimpy Kid to name but a few. Many of these stories live beyond the book and have inspired films, music and games. Puffin is always on the look-out for new talent and is committed to giving children access to stories, through innovative formats and partnerships; ensuring that the magic of imagination passes from one generation to the next. Dream big, Read Puffin.

Lauren Beard is an illustrator based in Manchester. As a child she loved drawing and reading, and would write and illustrate short stories for her two younger brothers. She has been fascinated by animals, fairy tales and folklore since childhood, when she would visit her Irish Grandma and was told to "watch out for the fairies!" Her work is hand-drawn and coloured both digitally and by hand. Lauren enjoys adding little details to her illustrations appealing to children and adults alike. Lauren lives with her cat, Sushi, who keeps her company when drawing.