Julian Gough
The Irish writer of the Rabbit and Bear picture books.
Julian Gough is a writer. The Irish writer of the Rabbit and Bear picture books. This page is a short guide for parents, teachers and young readers: who they are, which of their books are in the current top 20 and where to start.
About Julian Gough
Julian Gough is an Irish writer. He has written five Rabbit & Bear books, illustrated by Jim Field and published in more than thirty languages.
Rabbit’s Bad Habits was shortlisted for the Irish Book of the Year Award in 2016, and its French translation won the Prix Livrentête in 2018. The Pest in the Nest was shortlisted for the Irish Book of the Year Award and the Sainsbury’s Children’s Book Award.
Outside children’s books, he won the BBC National Short Story Award in 2007, wrote the “End Poem” at the close of the video game Minecraft, and has published four novels for adults.
Julian Gough’s books in the top 20
- Rabbit and Bear: The Bog of Frogs: number 14 in the list we checked on 7 November 2026. Rabbit wonders what stars are made of and feels very small, until some new friends in a bog show him the bigger picture.
Other well-known books and work
- Rabbit & Bear (five books, illustrated by Jim Field)
- Rabbit’s Bad Habits
- The Pest in the Nest
- Connect (2018, a novel for adults)
Awards and recognition
- Rabbit’s Bad Habits shortlisted for the Irish Book of the Year Award (2016)
- BBC National Short Story Award (2007)
Where to start
Start with the first Rabbit & Bear book, a funny read-aloud for ages 4 to 8.
Frequently asked questions about Julian Gough
Who is Julian Gough?
Julian Gough is an Irish writer. He has written five Rabbit & Bear books, illustrated by Jim Field and published in more than thirty languages.
Which books by Julian Gough are in the top 20?
Rabbit and Bear: The Bog of Frogs (number 14). See our Top 20 children’s books for the full list.
Where should I start with Julian Gough?
Start with the first Rabbit & Bear book, a funny read-aloud for ages 4 to 8.
Biographical details are drawn from publisher biographies, reference works and the author’s own site, and may have changed. The illustration is our own and is not a likeness of the author. See all the authors.
Sources: Julian Gough: about.