Helen Stephens author page

Helen Stephens biography

Helen Stephens is a children’s author, illustrator and picture-book maker. She grew up in County Durham, studied illustration at Glasgow School of Art, and began working as a freelance illustrator in 1994. She worked as an editorial illustrator before writing her first book in 1998. She has also taught on Cambridge School of Art’s MA in Illustrating for Children.

Her picture books include Fleabag, The Night Iceberg, Smelly Peggy and the How to Hide a Lion series. How to Hide a Lion was published by Scholastic as a UK edition, with Stephens as both author and illustrator. Smelly Peggy was published by Walker Books on 6 June 2024 for readers aged 3 to 7.

Stephens has illustrated work by other writers, including Roger McGough, Simon Mason and Sophie Hannah. She illustrated Drew, Moo and Bunny, Too, written by Owen Sheers and published by Walker Books, with publication details giving the book as a 32-page picture book for readers from 3 to 7.

Fleabag won the Dundee Picture Book Award in 2009. Earlier career milestones include Blue Horse and Tilly winning Best World Theme Story in 2002, Twinkly Night being shortlisted for the Sainsbury’s Baby Book Award 2002, and Poochie-Poo winning the AOI Images Silver Award 2003. Stephens co-wrote Salty Dog and Pals: The Storm & Other Stories with Katie Chappell; Walker Books published it on 7 May 2026 for readers aged 5 to 9.