Quentin Blake & John Yeoman

50 Years of Children’s Books

4 May – 7 Jul 2019

Main Gallery

Up with Birds (cropped) ® Quentin Blake

“Look, I like children. And I like telling stories. But I really like drawing.”

Quentin Blake

The Financial Times

In the Spring of 2019, we were delighted to present Quentin Blake & John Yeoman: 50 Years of Children’s Books — a touring exhibition from House of Illustration, curated by Quentin Blake. The show celebrates the illustrator’s 50 year partnership with author, John Yeoman.

Quentin Blake and John Yeoman have created more books together than Blake has with any other author, including Roald Dahl.

Blake first asked Yeoman to write a book for him to illustrate in 1960. The result A Drink of Water sparked an artistic relationship that has lasted for more than half a century. Their most recent book, All The Year Round, was published by Andersen Press in 2017.

Up with Birds (cropped) ® Quentin Blake

​Image: All The Year Round by Quentin Blake

Image: All The Year Round by Quentin Blake

All The Year Round 2 ® Quentin Blake

In addition to illustrations from A Drink of Water and All the Year Round the exhibition also featured artwork from a further 10 projects Blake and Yeoman have collaborated on together – from picture books and short novels for children to adaptations of classic folk tales including:

The Boy Who Sprouted Antlers; Mouse Trouble; The Fabulous Foskett Family Circus; Quentin Blake’s Amazing Animal Stories; The World’s Laziest Duck and other Amazing Records; The Hermit and the Bear; All The Year Round, The Heron and the Crane; Sixes and Sevens; and Up with Birds.

The exhibition included an inviting space for reading and creative activity for visitors to escape further into a magical world of imagination. A lively programme of storytelling, performance and workshops will be on offer for all ages to enjoy.

Quentin Blake & John Yeoman: 50 Years of Children’s Books is a touring exhibition from House of Illustration, curated by Quentin Blake. House of Illustration is the UK’s only public gallery dedicated to illustration and graphic art. www.houseofillustration.org.uk

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