Helen Gillian Oxenbury (born 1938) is an English illustrator and writer of children's

picture books A picture book combines visual and verbal narratives in a book format, most often aimed at young children. With the narrative told primarily through text, they are distinct from comics, which do so primarily through sequential images. The images ...

. She lives in

North London North London is the northern part of London, England, north of the River Thames. It extends from Clerkenwell and Finsbury, on the edge of the City of London financial district, to Greater London's boundary with Hertfordshire. The term ''nor ...

. She has twice won the annual

Kate Greenaway Medal The Kate Greenaway Medal is a British literary award that annually recognises "distinguished illustration in a book for children". It is conferred upon the illustrator by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) ...

, the British librarians' award for illustration and been runner-up four times. For the 50th anniversary of that Medal (1955–2005) her 1999 illustrated edition of ''

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'' (commonly ''Alice in Wonderland'') is an 1865 English novel by Lewis Carroll. It details the story of a young girl named Alice who falls through a rabbit hole into a fantasy world of anthropomorphic creature ...

'' was named one of the top ten winning works.

Background

Helen Oxenbury was raised in

Ipswich Ipswich () is a port town and borough in Suffolk, England, of which it is the county town. The town is located in East Anglia about away from the mouth of the River Orwell and the North Sea. Ipswich is both on the Great Eastern Main Line ...

Suffolk Suffolk () is a ceremonial county of England in East Anglia. It borders Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south; the North Sea lies to the east. The county town is Ipswich; other important towns include ...

. Her father was an architect. From an early age she developed a passion for drawing. After leaving school, she attended the Ipswich School of Art as a teenager, and during holidays she worked at a small theatre in

Felixstowe Felixstowe ( ) is a port town in Suffolk, England. The estimated population in 2017 was 24,521. The Port of Felixstowe is the largest container port in the United Kingdom. Felixstowe is approximately 116km (72 miles) northeast of London. H ...

and at the Ipswich Repertory Theatre Workshop, mixing paints. She went on to study in London at the

Central School of Art and Design The Central School of Art and Design was a public school of fine and applied arts in London, England. It offered foundation and degree level courses. It was established in 1896 by the London County Council as the Central School of Arts and ...

(1957-1959), where she met her future husband, John Burningham. In her adult life she embarked on a career in theatre, film and television. She worked as assistant designer at

Colchester Colchester ( ) is a city in Essex, in the East of England. It had a population of 122,000 in 2011. The demonym is Colcestrian. Colchester occupies the site of Camulodunum, the first major city in Roman Britain and its first capital. Colch ...

Repertory Theatre, and for three years as painter and designer for the Habima Theatre in

Tel Aviv Tel Aviv-Yafo ( he, תֵּל־אָבִיב-יָפוֹ, translit=Tēl-ʾĀvīv-Yāfō ; ar, تَلّ أَبِيب – يَافَا, translit=Tall ʾAbīb-Yāfā, links=no), often referred to as just Tel Aviv, is the most populous city in the G ...

Israel Israel (; he, יִשְׂרָאֵל, ; ar, إِسْرَائِيل, ), officially the State of Israel ( he, מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, label=none, translit=Medīnat Yīsrāʾēl; ), is a country in Western Asia. It is situated ...

. In 1962 she returned to Britain and did some design work for ABC Television and

Shepperton Film Studios Shepperton Studios is a film studio located in Shepperton, Surrey, England, with a history dating back to 1931. It is now part of the Pinewood Studios Group. During its early existence, the studio was branded as Sound City (not to be confused ...

. After marrying the children's book author and illustrator John Burningham in 1964, she turned to illustrating children’s books herself. In 1980, she created a series of books about a mischievous young boy called Tom, and his stuffed monkey, Pippo. She commented that Tom was very much like her own son in his younger years. Like Tom, her son would often blame his misdeeds on an accomplice (the family dog). She continues to illustrate books. In 1994, Tom and Pippo was adapted into a

French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...

animated series which ran for 104 two-minute episodes. Some of her most recent work includes the illustrations for ''The Growing Story'' in the September 2008 edition of Bayard Presse's ''StoryBox'' magazine.

Awards

Oxenbury is one of 14 illustrators to win two

s (established 1955); Burningham is another. At the time, the annual award by the British

Library Association The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals, since 2017 branded CILIP: The library and information association (pronounced ), is a professional body for librarians, information specialists and knowledge managers in the U ...

(now CILIP) recognised the year's best children's book illustration by a

British subject The term "British subject" has several different meanings depending on the time period. Before 1949, it referred to almost all subjects of the British Empire (including the United Kingdom, Dominions, and colonies, but excluding protectorates ...

; two books were occasionally cited; there was no cash prize. Oxenbury won the Medal in 1969; the two books cited were ''The Quangle Wangle's Hat'', an edition of

Edward Lear Edward Lear (12 May 1812 – 29 January 1888) was an English artist, illustrator, musician, author and poet, who is known mostly for his literary nonsense in poetry and prose and especially his limericks, a form he popularised. His principal ...

's 19th-century poem, and ''The Dragon of an Ordinary Family'', a new story by

Margaret Mahy Margaret Mahy (21 March 1936 – 23 July 2012) was a New Zealand author of children's and young adult books. Many of her story plots have strong supernatural elements but her writing concentrates on the themes of human relationships and growi ...

, both published by

Heinemann Heinemann may refer to: * Heinemann (surname) * Heinemann (publisher), a publishing company * Heinemann Park, a.k.a. Pelican Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States See also * Heineman Heineman is a surname. Notable people with the surnam ...

. From 1989 to 1994 she was the Highly Commended runner up four times and she won again for an edition of ''Alice in Wonderland'' (Walker, 1999). CILIP's retrospective citation says: "More abundantly illustrated than previous editions ... Alice herself is a child of today – casually dressed, personable and spirited." ''Alice'' was named one of the top ten Greenaway Medal-winning works by a 2007 panel, composing the ballot for a public election of the all-time favourite. Oxenbury won two "Emils", the

Kurt Maschler Award The Kurt Maschler Award (1982 to 1999) was a British literary award that annually recognised one "work of imagination for children, in which text and illustration are integrated so that each enhances and balances the other." Winning authors and ill ...

by the Maschler publishers and Booktrust that annually (1982 to 1999) recognised one "work of imagination for children, in which text and illustration are integrated so that each enhances and balances the other." The first was for ''So Much'' by

Trish Cooke Trish Cooke (born 1962) is a British playwright, actress, television presenter, scriptwriter and children's author. She was a presenter on the children's series Playdays. She also wrote under the pseudonym Roselia John Baptiste. Life Cooke was bo ...

, one of her Greenaway runners up, and the second for ''Alice''. Oxenbury also won three

Nestlé Smarties Book Prize The Nestlé Children's Book Prize, and Nestlé Smarties Book Prize for a time, was a set of annual awards for British children's books that ran from 1985 to 2007. It was administered by BookTrust, an independent charity that promotes books and ...

s (1985 to 2007), all in the 0–5 years category. The Smarties Prize winners were elected by children from shortlists composed by a panel. Oxenbury-illustrated picture books were the overall winners for 1989, ''

We're Going on a Bear Hunt ''We're Going on a Bear Hunt'' is a 1989 children's picture book written by Michael Rosen and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury. It has won numerous awards and was the subject of a ''Guinness World Record'' for "Largest Reading Lesson" with a book-re ...

'' retold by

Michael Rosen Michael Wayne Rosen (born 7 May 1946) is a British children's author, poet, presenter, political columnist, broadcaster and activist who has written 140 books. He served as Children's Laureate from 2007 to 2009. Early life Michael Wayne Ro ...

, and for 1991, ''Farmer Duck'' by Martin Waddell, another Greenaway runner up. ''So Much'' was the 1994 age group winner. ''Farmer Duck'' was also the 1991 Illustrated Children's Book of the Year (

British Book Awards The British Book Awards or Nibbies are literary awards for the best UK writers and their works, administered by '' The Bookseller''. The awards have had several previous names, owners and sponsors since being launched in 1990, including the Nationa ...

). ''Tickle, Tickle'', written and illustrated by Oxenbury, won the 1999

Booktrust Early Years Award The Booktrust Early Years Awards, originally the Sainsbury’s Baby Book Award(s), was a set of annual literary prizes for children's picture books. It was administered by Booktrust, an independent charity that promotes books and reading; from ...

. In the United States, ''Big Momma Makes the World'' by Phillis Root won the

Boston Globe–Horn Book Award The Boston Globe–Horn Book Awards are a set of American literary awards conferred by ''The Boston Globe'' and ''The Horn Book Magazine'' annually from 1967. One book is recognized in each of four categories: Fiction and Poetry, Nonfiction, and P ...

, picture books category.

Media

Oxenbury was the guest on the long-running ''

Desert Island Discs ''Desert Island Discs'' is a radio programme broadcast on BBC Radio 4. It was first broadcast on the BBC Forces Programme on 29 January 1942. Each week a guest, called a "castaway" during the programme, is asked to choose eight recordings (usua ...

'' on the

BBC Radio 4 BBC Radio 4 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC that replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. It broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history from the BBC's ...

programme on Sunday 29 November 2020. hosted by

Lauren Laverne Lauren Cecilia Fisher (née Gofton; born 28 April 1978), known professionally as Lauren Laverne, is an English radio DJ, model, television presenter, author and singer. She was the lead singer and additional guitarist in the alternative rock ba ...

Selected works

These are all children's books.

WorldCat WorldCat is a union catalog that itemizes the collections of tens of thousands of institutions (mostly libraries), in many countries, that are current or past members of the OCLC global cooperative. It is operated by OCLC, Inc. Many of the O ...

reports that Oxenbury's works most widely held in participating libraries are three of her Greenaway Medal runners up, all written by other authors: ''

'' (1989), ''Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig'' (1993), and ''Farmer Duck'' (1991). * ''The Quangle Wangle's Hat'' (Heinemann, 1969), by

(late 19th century) :: —joint winner of the

* ''The Dragon of an Ordinary Family'' (Heinemann, 1969), by

:: —joint winner of the Greenaway Medal * ''Letters of Thanks'' (Collins, 1969), by Manghanita Kempadoo * ''Pig Tale'' (1973), written in rhyme and illustrated * ''Cakes and Custard'' (Heinemann, 1975, children's rhymes selected by Brian Alderson (children's book critic) * ''I can'' (1985), a board book for babies * ''I hear'' (1985), a board book for babies * ''I see'' (1985), a board book for babies * ''The Helen Oxenbury Nursery Story Book'' (1985), familiar folk tales * ''All Fall Down'' (1987), written and illustrated * ''Clap Hands'' (1987), written and illustrated * ''Say Goodnight'' (1987), written and illustrated * ''

'' (Walker, 1989), retold by

:: —winner of the

(age 0–5 and overall) :: —Greenaway runner up, Highly Commended * ''Farmer Duck'' (Walker), 1991, by Martin Waddell :: —winner of the British Illustrated Children's Book of the Year and the

Smarties Prize Smarties are colour-varied sugar-coated chocolate confectionery. They have been manufactured since 1937, originally by H.I. Rowntree & Company in the United Kingdom, and now by Nestlé. Smarties are oblate spheroids with a minor axis of abou ...

(age 0–5 and overall) :: —Greenaway runner up, Highly Commended * '' The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig'' (1993), illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, written by

Eugene Trivizas Eugene Trivizas ( Greek: Eυγένιος Τριβιζάς; born 1946) is a Greek sociologist and writer of children's books. For his lasting contribution as a children's writer, Trivizas was a finalist for the biennial, international Hans Ch ...

:: —Greenaway runner up, Highly Commended :: — Parents' Choice Gold Award * ''It's My Birthday'' (1993), written and illustrated * ''So Much'' (Walker), 1994, by Trish Cooke :: —winner of the

and the

(ages 0–5 years) :: —Greenaway runner up, Highly Commended * ''Tickle, Tickle'' (1999), written and illustrated :: — Booktrust Early Years Award * ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'' ( Walker Books, 1999), an edition of the 1865 classic by

Lewis Carroll Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (; 27 January 1832 – 14 January 1898), better known by his pen name Lewis Carroll, was an English author, poet and mathematician. His most notable works are '' Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'' (1865) and its sequ ...

:: —winner of the Kurt Maschler Award and the Kate Greenaway Medal * ''Franny B. Kranny, There's a Bird in Your Hair'' (2000), by Harriet Goldhor Lerner * ''Big Momma Makes the World'' (2002), by Phyllis Root :: —winner of the 2003

, Picture Book * ''Alice Through the Looking Glass'' (Walker, 2005), an edition of ''

Through the Looking Glass ''Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There'' (also known as ''Alice Through the Looking-Glass'' or simply ''Through the Looking-Glass'') is a novel published on 27 December 1871 (though indicated as 1872) by Lewis Carroll and the ...

'' by Lewis Carroll (1871) * ''The Growing Story'' (2007), by Ruth Krauss (1947) * ''

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes ''Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes'' is a 2008 children's picture book by Mem Fox and Helen Oxenbury. It is about babies, who, although they are from around the world, all share the common trait of having the same number of digits. Rec ...

'' (2008), by

Mem Fox Merrion Frances "Mem" Fox, AM (born Merrion Frances Partridge; 5 March 1946) is an Australian writer of children's books and an educationalist specialising in literacy. Fox has been semi-retired since 1996, but she still gives seminars and ...

* ''There's Going to Be a Baby'' (2010), by John Burningham * ''The Giant Jumperee'' (Re-Illustrator in 2017), by

Julia Donaldson Julia Donaldson (born Julia Catherine Shields; born ) is an English writer and playwright, and the 2011–2013 Children's Laureate. She is best known for her popular rhyming stories for children, especially those illustrated by Axel Scheffler, ...

* ''

Red Riding Hood "Little Red Riding Hood" is a European fairy tale about a young girl and a sly wolf. Its origins can be traced back to several pre-17th century European folk tales. The two best known versions were written by Charles Perrault and the Brothe ...

'' (2019), Lost Story by

Beatrix Potter Helen Beatrix Potter (, 28 July 186622 December 1943) was an English writer, illustrator, natural scientist, and conservationist. She is best known for her children's books featuring animals, such as '' The Tale of Peter Rabbit'', which was ...

* ''Welcome to the World'' (2022), by

Background

Awards

Media

Selected works

Notes

References

Further reading