Children’s book illustration has evolved remarkably over the past two centuries, reflecting not only changes in artistic style but also shifts in how society views childhood itself. From the delicate engravings of the Victorian era to the bold, expressive imagery of contemporary picture books, each generation of illustrators has reimagined how stories for the young should look - and feel. The Victorian Imagination In the nineteenth century, the notion of childhood as a distin

Illustration has always held a special place in children’s literature. Long before a child learns to read, it is the pictures that speak first - bright windows into imagined worlds, where animals talk, dreams come to life, and every page invites curiosity. The great illustrators of children’s books do more than decorate stories; they bring them to life with colour, humour, and emotion. Their work lingers in memory, shaping how generations imagine childhood itself. Beatrix Pot

Ivor the Engine is one of those gentle treasures of British children’s television - an unassuming little series that puffed its way into the nation’s heart with a soft chuff, a tootle on the whistle, and an unmistakably Welsh lilt. Created by Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin, the same brilliant duo behind Bagpuss and The Clangers , Ivor the Engine first appeared on television in black and white in 1959, and was later revived in glorious green and red colour in the 1970s. I

Masquerade , published in 1979 by British artist and author Kit Williams, is not just a picture book - it’s one of the most beguiling and eccentric literary phenomena Britain has ever produced. At first glance, it appears to be a beautifully illustrated children’s story about a hare named Jack on a whimsical quest to deliver a jewel to the sun. But scratch the surface (and thousands of readers certainly tried to) and you’ll find an elaborate, fiendishly complex treasure hunt

Noddy is one of those cheerful little fellas who seems to have always been part of British childhood - perched in his little red and yellow car, nodding his head enthusiastically as he tootles through Toyland. Created by Enid Blyton in 1949, Noddy is a wide-eyed, bell-hatted wooden boy with an unfailing sense of curiosity, a kind heart, and a slightly bumbling way of getting things done. For many, he represents the innocence of early childhood - a world where adventures are s

Boing boing boing... The Magic Roundabout is one of those gloriously surreal bits of British television that somehow manages to be both utterly bonkers and quietly profound. First broadcast in the UK in 1965, it quickly became a beloved teatime fixture, charming children and bemusing adults in equal measure. At its heart was a peculiar blend of whimsy, dry humour, and a cast of characters that felt like they’d wandered out of a dream and straight into the middle of a park -

The Wombles are one of Britain’s most delightfully odd and enduring creations - a band of furry, pointy-nosed creatures who live beneath Wimbledon Common, quietly tidying up after messy humans and turning our rubbish into something useful. Created by author Elisabeth Beresford in the late 1960s, the Wombles first appeared in book form before becoming truly iconic through the stop-motion BBC television series in the 1970s. With their blend of gentle humour, environmentalism, a

Rupert Bear is one of those quietly iconic characters who has become woven into the fabric of British childhood. First appearing in the pages of the Daily Express in 1920, Rupert is instantly recognisable with his checked yellow trousers, red jumper, and matching scarf - an outfit that’s never changed, even as the decades have rolled by. There’s something gently reassuring about him, like an old friend who never grows up, always ready for another adventure. Rupert was create

Jill Barklem is best known as the creator of Brambly Hedge , a series of beautifully illustrated books that have become beloved staples in many British households. Her work captures a timeless, idyllic vision of rural life - complete with harvests, snowballs, jam-making, and the sort of miniature domestic bliss that’s as comforting as a slice of fruitcake by the fire. Born in Epping in 1951, Barklem was a quiet, observant child who spent much of her time sketching and reading

Milly-Molly-Mandy is one of those reeeeeally great treasures of British children’s literature - perhaps not as flashy as some modern favourites, but full of charm, warmth, and the comforting rhythms of everyday village life. Created by Joyce Lankester Brisley in the late 1920s, the stories follow a little girl in a striped dress with a long name and a kind heart, living in a thatched cottage “in the middle of the village, in the middle of the country.” There’s something unmi

Ok, sooooo, Errol Le Cain may not be a household name like Beatrix Potter or Quentin Blake, but among those who know and love children’s illustration, he holds a place of quiet reverence. Born in Singapore in 1941 and moving to England as a child, Le Cain became one of the most distinctive illustrators of the 20th century - his work shimmering with detail, colour, and a touch of magic that feels at once otherworldly and rooted in tradition. What sets him apart is his ability

Beatrix Potter is one of those rare authors whose work feels stitched into the very fabric of British childhood. Her stories, with their quaint illustrations and gentle humour, have charmed generations. But beyond the hedgerows and bonnets of Peter Rabbit and friends lies the story of a fiercely independent woman who defied expectations and carved out a literary legacy entirely on her own terms. Born in London in 1866 to a wealthy family, Beatrix was raised in a world of Vic

Far from the Madding Crowd , Thomas Hardy’s fourth novel and the one that first brought him lasting success, is a rich, sweeping story set in the fictional county of Wessex - a place Hardy so vividly imagined that it now feels as real as any spot on the English map. Published in 1874, the novel captures the rhythms of rural life, the shifting fortunes of love, and the quiet drama of nature’s influence on human hearts. It’s a story of choices, pride, patience, and the tangled

Spoooooky but cool? Pinocchio  is one of those tales that has travelled far and wide, starting in 19th-century Italy and weaving its way into the hearts of readers (and viewers) all over the world - including here in Britain, where it’s become part of the wider fairy-tale tradition. Written by Carlo Collodi in 1883, The Adventures of Pinocchio  is a curious, sometimes unsettling story about a wooden puppet who longs to become a real boy. But unlike the polished Disney version

Cinderella is one of those fairy tales that everyone knows, no matter their age or background. Whether it’s through a children’s picture book, a West End pantomime, or the iconic glass slipper of the Disney film, Cinderella has firmly planted herself in the heart of British storytelling tradition. But beneath the sparkly dresses and pumpkin carriages lies a tale that’s far older, and a touch darker, than many realise... oooooo... At its core, Cinderella is a classic rags-to

Snow White  is one of the most iconic fairy tales in the Western world - thanks in part to the 1937 Disney film, but its origins go much deeper. The version most people are familiar with comes from the Brothers Grimm, first published in 1812 in Grimm’s Fairy Tales . On the surface, it’s a simple story about good versus evil, beauty, jealousy, and love. But like many classic fairy tales, there’s a dark, haunting quality beneath the surface that gives it its enduring power. At

Asterix the Gaul is one of those rare comic book series that manages to be utterly silly and brilliantly clever at the same time. Created by writer René Goscinny and illustrator Albert Uderzo, the first Asterix adventure was published in 1959 in the French magazine Pilote , but it quickly won fans all over Europe - including here in Britain. Witty, sharp, and full of playful jabs at history, language, and national stereotypes, the world of Asterix is as delightfully bonkers

The Adventures of Tintin , created by Belgian artist Hergé (real name Georges Remi), has been delighting readers for nearly a century. First appearing in 1929 in a Belgian newspaper, Tintin quickly became a beloved figure across Europe and beyond. With his iconic quiff, faithful dog Snowy by his side, and a nose for uncovering trouble, Tintin embodies the spirit of old-school adventure with a distinctly European charm. At first glance, Tintin might seem like an unlikely hero.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland , written by Lewis Carroll (the pen name of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson), is one of those rare stories that has managed to stay weird, wonderful, and completely timeless since it was first published in 1865. On the surface, it’s a whimsical children’s tale about a curious girl who falls down a rabbit hole. But the deeper you go, the more you realize just how layered, strange, and clever it really is. The story begins when Alice, a young girl bore

A Little Princess , written by Frances Hodgson Burnett in 1905, is a heartfelt story about kindness, resilience, and the quiet power of imagination. It follows Sara Crewe, a wealthy young girl who seems to have everything - fine clothes, a loving father, and a place at a prestigious London boarding school. But when tragedy strikes, everything she has is taken from her. What makes the story remarkable isn’t just the fall from riches to rags, but how Sara holds onto her inner g