John Dougherty, author portrait
© Jo Cotterill

John Dougherty

John Dougherty was born in Larne, Northern Ireland, and not many years later they made him go to school--an experience he didn't find entirely enjoyable. Fortunately, the joys of reading helped him through the difficult times. It's therefore not completely surprising that when he grew up he became first a teacher (the nice sort), and then a writer of stories and poetry to make children giggle. He also writes songs, some of which her performs with First Draft, a band made up of three children's authors and a bookseller. He now lives in England with his two wonderful children, the original Stinkbomb and Ketchup-Face.
Stinkbomb and Ketchup-Face and the Pizza of Peril
Stinkbomb and Ketchup-Face and the Quest for the Magic Porcupine
Stinkbomb and Ketchup-Face and the Badness of Badgers

Books

Stinkbomb and Ketchup-Face and the Pizza of Peril
Stinkbomb and Ketchup-Face and the Quest for the Magic Porcupine
Stinkbomb and Ketchup-Face and the Badness of Badgers

Three Penguin Random House Authors Win Pulitzer Prizes

On Monday, May 5, three Penguin Random House authors were honored with a Pulitzer Prize. Established in 1917, the Pulitzer Prizes are the most prestigious awards in American letters. To date, PRH has 143 Pulitzer Prize winners, including William Faulkner, Eudora Welty, Josh Steinbeck, Ron Chernow, Anne Applebaum, Colson Whitehead, and many more. Take a look at our 2025 Pulitzer Prize

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Books for LGBTQIA+ Pride Month

In June we celebrate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual + (LGBTQIA+) Pride Month, which honors the 1969 Stonewall riots in Manhattan. Pride Month is a time to both celebrate the accomplishments of those in the LGBTQ+ community and recognize the ongoing struggles faced by many across the world who wish to live

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