Alison Jay was born in Hertfordshire and grew up in Derbyshire. She went to college at The London College of Printing, studying illustration. Alison graduated in 1988 with a First Class Honours Degree.

In 1993 Alison joined The Organisation Illustration Agency. Since then she has completed a variety of commissions for numerous clients in publishing, advertising, and packaging both in the UK and the US. She has also exhibited work on numerous occasions.

Alison's first title for Templar Publishing was Picture This, which was nominated for the prestigious Kate Greenaway award. This was followed by The Race, and a follow up to Picture This entitled Alphabet, a Child's ABC. She also illustrated the wonderful William and the Night Train for Hodder.