Julia Jarman


Julia Jarman is a British author of books for children of all reading ages and ability.

Background

Julia Jarman was born Julia Hudspeth in Deeping St James near the city of Peterborough in the UK, and now lives in Riseley, Bedfordshire. She studied English and Drama at Manchester University and then qualified as a teacher. Her first book was published in 1985. She had three children all born in the early 1970s who have influenced her writing. After her youngest daughter Mary gave birth to her first grandson Theo she started to write picture books for infants. Her first picture book was Big Red Bath. Mary had two more children after Theo called Maya and Lois, which made her write more picture books: Big Blue Train; Big Yellow Digger; Class Two at the Zoo; Class Three All at Sea; Ants in Your Pants and many others.
Big Red Bath became a successful stage show in 2013. Directed by Chris Elwell of Half Moon Young People's Theatre, Limehouse, East London, it is a co-production with Full House Theatre of Bedford. The French alternative indie-electro- pop-trio, We are Evergreen, created the music. It will tour the UK in 2014 following a week-long run at Half Moon beginning 31 January.

Partial bibliography

Three of her novels, Hangman, Peace Weavers, and Ghost Writer have been nominated for the Carnegie medal. She won the Stockport Schools Book Award three times, for Big Red Bath, Class Two at the Zoo, and Ghost Writer and has been shortlisted for several other prizes.