 He is a friend of Nick Butterworth, who also grew up in Romford, and they collaborated on the 1990 "Wonderful Earth".Inkpen has won numerous awards worldwide including The British Book Award for "Lullabyhullabaloo" and "Penguin Small", The Children's Book Award for "Threadbear", The Parents and Munch Bunch Play and Learn Award and The Right Start Petit Filous Best Toy Award for "Where, Oh Where is Kipper's Bear?