Jan Ormerod grew up in Western Australia. Her first book, SUNSHINE, won the Mother Goose Award, was voted Book of the Year by the Children's Book Council of Australia and was highly commended for the Kate Greenaway Medal. Since then she has had more than 50 books published and won many awards, including Oppenheim Platinum and Gold Awards, ALA Notable Book, Pennsylvania's Children's Choice Award and Parent's Choice Award. Her picture book LIZZIE NONSENSE was an Australian IBBY Honour book in 2006.

Her latest picture book THE WATER WITCHER is shortlisted for the Western Australian Premier's Award and Picture Book of the Year 2007 Children's Book Council of Australia.

Jan also writes picture book texts for other illustrators, and has written three with artist Lindsey Gardiner. The latest in their highly successful partnership, WHOOSH AROUND THE MULBERRY BUSH, was published by Oxford Press in 2007.

Jan Ormerod now lives in Uppingham, England, but she frequently visits New York and Australia.