There is something very beautiful and endearing about a children’s storybook. In some cases the illustrations are as memorable and as loved as the stories they’re depicting.
Here at World of Rare Books we’re very lucky that we get to see lots of these books pass through on a weekly basis. Trouble is they do get snapped up rather quickly by customers, so they don’t stay in our company too long.
That said, we’ve taken a look at some of the more well-known illustrators of children’s books.
Walter Crane
Born in Liverpool in August 1845, Crane is considered to be one of the most famous children’s book creators of the 19th Century.
Throughout his career he developed a colourful and very detailed depiction of nursery rhymes and classic children’s tales, including the beautiful Baby’s Own Aesop.
Arthur Rackham
Another well-known artist, Arthur Rackham was one of 12 children. He developed his skills working for Westminster Budget as a reporter and illustrator.
It was soon after that he began to focus more on children’s periodicals and it was only when his illustrations in Washington Irving’s Rip Van Winkle was published, that Rackham became more well known.
Other works he contributed to include: Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens by J. M. Barrie, Hansel and Gretel by the Brothers Grimm and Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels.
John Tenniel
An illustrator and political cartoonist by trade, John Tenniel was born in Bayswater West London. He formally trained at the Royal Academy of Arts, but growing increasingly frustrated with the teaching, he began to sketch classical statues in galleries as well as animals in London Zoo. It was these exercises where he developed his intricate levels of detail.
Tenniel became well-known for his contribution to Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found there.
Eileen Soper
Eileen Soper was an English illustrator of Children’s and wildlife books. Her most-famous works are those in which she collaborated with author Enid Blyton.
Soper studied at the Royal Academy in London and from the age of 15 demonstrated a keen eye for illustration.
As well as writing and publishing books of her own, her contribution to Blyton’s Famous Five series is still remembered to this day.
