The Pearl Diver

Julia Johnson divides her time between Dubai and an old water mill in Worcestershire, England.

A thirst for adventure took Julia and her architect husband Brian to Dubai in 1975, where she soon became a familiar face reading children’s stories on Dubai Channel 33, subsequently appearing in BBC Television and Radio productions in the UK. She has toured schools in the Emirates and the UK in Theatre-in-Education productions, acted in several stage plays and recorded over 100 audio books.

Since 2001 she has been writing stories for children. The Pearl Diver is recommended by the Hamilton Trust, an online resource provider for schools. The Leopard Boy was awarded a Kirkus star in America, and was endorsed by former UK Children’s Book Laureate and award-winning author, Michael Morpurgo. The Turtle Secret was the winner of the Best International Children’s Book Award at the Sharjah International Book Fair 2014. Julia loves to write stories about the rich and colorful heritage of the Arabian Gulf and Oman, and she tours the region giving talks and workshops. She also visits schools in the UK, and is a regular speaker at the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature.

Illustrator of The Pearl Diver, Elvis the Camel, and Fizza the Flamingo. A well-known artist and teacher, she has lived in Dubai with her husband for over 20 years. She has had many exhibitions and her work can be seen in public places and galleries throughout the Emirates.