[2] Fine has written more than seventy children's books, including two winners of the annual Carnegie Medal and three highly commended runners-up.

For her contribution as a children's writer, Fine was a runner-up for the Hans Christian Andersen Medal in 1998.

[6] Fine was born and raised in Leicester and educated in neighbouring midland counties of England.

She attended Northampton High School and earned a degree in politics from the University of Warwick.

She was married to the philosopher Kit Fine until they were divorced; she has now been with her partner Dick Warren for more than twenty years.

Her books for middle children include Bill's New Frock (Methuen, 1989) and How to Write Really Badly (1996).

[3][a] Fine was the second Children's Laureate (2001–03)[14] and received the OBE for services to literature in the 2003 Queen's Birthday Honours List.