Vivian French is the author of over 300 books. In 2016 she was awarded an MBE for her services to literature, literacy, illustration and the arts, and in 2018 she received the Scottish Book Trust's Outstanding Achievement Award. She is the co-founder of the critically-acclaimed Picture Hooks scheme to help emerging art graduates find their feet in the world of book illustration. Vivian has been Writer in Residence at the Lennoxlove Book Festival, The Borders Book Festival and the Edinburgh International Book Festival. She is a passionate reader herself and was for many years a regular guest reviewer for The Guardian.