Born in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne in 1964, Jill went to school in Lincoln until 1983. After having spent a one year foundation course at Lincoln School of Art, she went on to study illustration at Cambridge Art College whilst also working in an assortment of bars. In 1986 she moved to London to seek fame and fortune but instead settled for noteriety and debt. Her first book, Pelicans and Pussycats, was published in 1989 by ABC. She later wrote Matepo, Catfish, Keeping Up with Cheetah, Don't Sit There, Frog Princess and Polar Bear Scare, which was to go on to win Best British Childrens Book of 1992. Jill moved into a studio in Central London for a few years before realising that she was much more suited to working at home as it saved her from getting wet on her way to work! Jill has worked extensively in the fields of design and editorial illustration , from illustrating The Times to Baby Magazine. She has worked for most major publishers including Harcourt-Brace, Ladybird Books, Heinemann and Bloomsbury, writing both fiction and non-fiction, as well as designing greeting cards. At present Jill is living in Somerset.

Jill Newton worked extensively in design and illustrated many beautiful children's books for Bloomsbury including Where Are My Chicks? and Please Don't Chat to the Bus Driver. She wrote and illustrated Bored Claude and Godron In Charge.