Peter Bently

Peter went to ten schools as far apart as Devon, Northumberland, Germany and Hong Kong. After working as a journalist and nonfiction book editor, he began writing stories for children after the birth of his son Theo.

He is the award-winning author of over seventy books, including bestsellers OCTOPUS SHOCKTOPUS! (illustrated by Steven Lenton), which won the FCBG Children’s Book Award 2022 and the Teach Early Years Picture Book Prize 2020; DOGS IN DISGUISE (illustrated by John Bond), winner of the Shropshire Picture Book Prize 2022; CATS AHOY! (illustrated by Jim Field), which won the Roald Dahl Funny Prize; KING JACK AND THE DRAGON (illustrated by Helen Oxenbury), an American Library Association Notable Book of the Year and shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal; and “cult classic” THE GREAT DOG BOTTOM SWAP (illustrated by Mei Matsuoka), shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize and described by Dawn O’Porter as “maybe my all-time favourite kids’ book.” Peter’s books have been translated into more than twenty languages.

Peter has also adapted children’s classics THE HUNDRED AND ONE DALMATIANS by Dodie Smith and CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG by Ian Fleming. It is the first time both the original novels have been directly adapted as picture books for younger readers.

When he’s not writing, Peter enjoys visiting schools, libraries and book festivals. He lives in London with his wife Lucy and daughter Tara.