Quentin Blake

Quentin Blake

About Author

The Princess Royal appointed Quentin Blake the first Children's Laureate at a ceremony in London in May 1999. The post highlights the importance of exceptional children's authors in creating the readers of tomorrow and this first appointment recognises Quentin's unique contribution to the world of children's books and celebrates his outstanding achievements. The Children's Laureate was the original idea of award-winning children's novelist Michael Morpurgo and the Poet Laureate, Ted Hughes, was the patron and a close supporter of the award until his death in 1998.

Quentin was born in 1932, and he has drawn ever since he can remember. His first drawing was published in Punch when he was only 16. Later, he went to Downing College, Cambridge where he read English. After that he earned a postgraduate teaching diploma at the University of London, followed by a part-time course at Chelsea Art School.

Quentin 'cartooned' his way through college and always earned his living as an illustrator. He has taught as a sideline, although he says 'teaching has never been a necessity . . . I just enjoy it.' For eight years he was head of the Illustration Department at the Royal College of Art, and he is now a visiting tutor. He illustrated his first book for children in 1960 and has since illustrated many children's books in both the UK and the USA. Quentin's first book as author and illustrator Patrick was published in 1968. Angelo, published in 1975, was used as the basis for a children's opera.

Quentin has illustrated books for other authors, such as Russell Hoban and Joan Aiken. Hoban's book, How Tom Beat Captain Najork and His Hired Sportsmen, which was Quentin illustrated, won the Whitbread Award and was included in the Hans Christian Andersen Honour List.

His successful collaboration with Roald Dahl began in 1975 when Tom Maschler, their publisher at Jonathan Cape, introduced them. Between them they produced classics, including The BFG, winner of the 1983 Children's Book Award, The Witches, winner of the 1983 Whitbread Award, Matilda, winner of the 1988 Children's Book Award and Esio Trot, which was awarded the 1990 Smarties Prize.

Quentin's talent has been recognised and honoured with many awards. In 1981 Quentin was awarded both the Kate Greenaway Medal and the Children's Book Award for his book Mister Magnolia. In 1990 All Join In was awarded the Emil/Kurt Maschler Award. Clown, published in 1995, won the distinguished Bologna Ragazzi Prize at the famous Bologna Book Fair in 1996. Clown was published in Red Fox paperback in April 1998, alongside a brand new story The Green Ship a beautiful book which shows Quentin working at the height of his powers. It was shortlisted for the Smarties Award and the Kurt Maschler Award.

Zagazoo, published in September 1998, received widespread acclaim as did Quentin's picture book Fantastic Daisy Artichoke, published in May 1999. In 2005, he won the Bernard Versele Prize for Mrs. Armitage Queen of the Road. He also won the 2002 Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration. This is the highest international recognition given to creators of children's books. They are presented every two years by IBBY.

Amongst his colleagues, Quentin has enormous standing and in 1990 was voted the Illustrator's Illustrator in The Observer magazine's Expert's Expert series. Raymond Briggs, author of The Snowman and Fungus the Bogeyman said of him, 'He makes it look so easy and his work is full of joie de vivre'.

 


Quentin was awarded an OBE in the 1988 New Years Honours List and in February 2001 had an exhibition at The National Gallery in London called 'Tell Me A Picture'. The 'Magic Pencil Exhibition', curated by Quentin, was launched in 2002, shown in the Laing Gallery in Newcastle and displayed at the British Library.

His most recent book for Random House is Angel Pavement.

 

Critical Acclaim for Quentin Blake

Quentin Blake is one of the most imaginative children's illustrators and also a gripping storyteller.
The Guardian

The BFG
[Blake's] sunny optimistic approach was the perfect foil for Dahl's dark imaginings . The Guardian

Fantastic Daisy Artichoke
. . . joyous, energetic, spirited evocations that dance across a page and delight children with their intricacy and mischief Mail on Sunday

The Green Ship
an evocative story perfect childhood nostalgia, and the kind of story of which Quentin Blake is a master.
The Parent's Guide

The Laureate's Party
Anyone with an interest in the possibilities of children's literature, or with children to buy books for, will find this an inspiring guide. This book is the sort of gathering at which there are no bores or wallflowers, and every introduction is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
The Sunday Times

Mister Magnolia
This book is true problem solving without drawing attention to itself. Books for Keeps


Mrs Armitage and the Big Wave
Blake's oddball Mrs Armitage and her many inventions translate well into miniature and even on a small scale that big wave is still capable of taking your breath away.
Times Educational Supplement
Words & Pictures
Of unique value to students, primary school teachers, art teachers and aspiring and practising illustrators, this hugely readable and inspiring book is also a vital addition to the family bookshelf in any home where picture books are valued, and where the art of drawing is something to be celebrated.
Times Educational Supplement

A volume the like of which no children's book illustrator has previously had the opportunity or the skill to assemble. [Blake] emerges as a highly intelligent self-commentatorthe positioning of text and illustration [make it] a delight to do all those things that one should do with books as good as this - read, view, handle, stroke, sniff and show to someone else. Literary Review

Angel Pavement
Another gem from the master Books for Keeps

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