Julia Johnson

Julia trained as a drama teacher in the UK, and then moved to Dubai with her architect husband. She soon became a familiar face reading children’s stories on Dubai television.

Many of Julia’s stories focus on the history and culture of the Arabian Peninsula. She is keen to encourage an awareness of the rich and colourful heritage of the Gulf through her writing. She has toured schools and universities in the Emirates, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait with talks and workshops for students and drama insets for teachers.

Most of her books have been published by Stacey International, including One Humpy Grumpy Camel (2003), The Pearl Diver (2003), The Cheetah's Tale (2005), Saluki, Hound of the Bedouin (2005) and The Peacock and the Mermaid (2007).

Her latest book, The Leopard Boy, was published by Frances Lincoln in August 2011, and they publish Hessa's Turtle in October 2012.

She now divides her time between Dubai and an old watermill in Worcestershire. She has 2 children and 3 grandchildren. She loves theatre, travel and exploring, wildlife and the sea!