Julia Groves author page

Julia Groves biography

Julia Groves is a British author and illustrator of children’s books. She studied Fine Art printmaking at Brighton University before completing an MA in Children’s Book Illustration at Cambridge School of Art, graduating in 2014. She also teaches illustration, graphics and printmaking.

Groves began working with Child’s Play on the Animal Babies series of board books, which received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews and was nominated for the Progressive Pre-School Awards. Her first picture book, Rainforest, was published by Child’s Play in 2017. Written and illustrated by Groves, it introduces young children to rainforest animals through brief factual text and artwork using print and collage techniques. The book received an Outstanding Merit designation in Bank Street College of Education’s Best Children’s Books of the Year 2019 selection.

Groves also wrote and illustrated I See the Sea, published by Child’s Play. The picture book explores ocean life through poetic text and illustrations, with a die-cut feature running through the pages. It was shortlisted in the non-fiction 4-7 category of the English Association’s 2022 English 4-11 Picture Book Awards.

As an illustrator, Groves has collaborated with Deborah Chancellor on Scallywag Press’s Follow My Food series, including Milly Cow Gives Milk, Polly Bee Makes Honey, Shelly Hen Lays Eggs and Granny Pip Grows Fruit. Shelly Hen Lays Eggs was shortlisted for a Teach Early Years Award.