Toppsta - Childrens Books – Reviews

Quentin Blake Biography
Quentin Blake is a much celebrated English illustrator, author and lecturer. He was born in London in 1932 and is still very active, helping to decorate public spaces including hospitals, galleries and theatres with his drawings. In 2013 he was knighted for services to illustration and became Sir Quentin Blake.

Blake is best known as an illustrator, particularly for Roald Dahl books but he has also illustrated David Walliams books (The Boy in the Dress and Mr Stink) and has written over 35 books himself https://toppsta.com/authors/profile/quentin-blake

Blake has a distinctive and quirky illustration style. His drawings are full of humour and he is able to convey energy, movement and character with just a few lines. He was the first ever Children’s Laureate 1999-2001 a position created by friends Michael Morpurgo and Ted Hughes to celebrate children’s books and children’s authors/illustrators.

Blake has a new book coming out in 2016, called The Tale of Kitty in Boots. It’s a new story from Beatrix Potter, written more than 100 years ago but never before published.

Quentin Blake Facts
Blake taught at the Royal College of Arts for over 20 years.

His first illustration was published in the satirical magazine Punch, when he was aged just 16 and still at school.

Blake has illustrated a book for the American author Dr. Seuss. He illustrated “Great Day for Up”, the first book by Dr. Seuss that he didn’t illustrate himself.

Quentin used to present the 1970s story-telling programme Jackanory on the BBC.

Our favourite Quentin Blake book characters
The BFG in Roald Dahl’s The BFG

Mr. Stink in David Walliams’ Mr. Stink

Willy Wonka in Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Mr Magnolia in Quentin Blake’s Mr Magnolia