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As a child
Anthony grew up in a village called Hipperholme, in Yorkshire. He loved art and would spend hours drawing with his beloved father. He says of his father, “He was an unusual man – outwardly strong and confident, but also shy and sensitive – a bit like the gorillas I love to illustrate now. As well as drawing, he encouraged me to play a lot of sports, such as rugby and soccer and cricket. I was small for my age and I used to go to a fairly tough school – if I hadn’t been good at sports, I would probably have been bullied.”
As an adult
After he left school, Anthony studied graphic design and then went on to paint the insides of people’s bodies for medical textbooks. He found this fascinating, but after three years found that the work was becoming repetitive (“if you’ve seen one stomach operation, you’ve seen ‘em all!”) and instead began designing greetings cards. This in turn led him to illustrating children’s books – his book Gorilla began life as a picture on a birthday card. Anthony lives in Kent and has two grown-up children.
As an artist
Gorillas feature in many of Anthony’s books. He says, “I am fascinated by them and the contrast they represent – their huge strength and gentleness. They’re thought of as being very fierce creatures and they’re not.” Anthony’s illustrations also reveal his love of the Surrealist painters, whose pictures often depict strange, dreamlike scenes (look out for all the disguised bananas hidden in Anthony’s books!). When Anthony first has an idea for a picture book, he says, “it’s a strange combination of story and images. Deciding what will be illustrated on the pages of a book is like deciding on the scenes of a film.” Anthony has won many prizes for his work, including the Kate Greenaway Medal (twice) and the Kurt Maschler Award (three times). In 2000, he received the highest international honour for illustration, the Hans Christian Andersen Award, for his services to children’s literature – the first British illustrator to win the prize since 1956. On 9 June 2009 Anthony was announced as the sixth Children’s Laureate, an appointment that recognises the importance of exceptional children’s writing in creating the ‘readers of tomorrow.’ Speaking about this latest award, Anthony says, “I hope to encourage more children to discover and love reading, but I want to focus particularly on the appreciation of picture books…. Picture books are for everybody at any age, not books to be left behind as we grow older. The best ones leave a tantalising gap between the pictures and the words, a gap that is filled by the reader's imagination, adding so much to the excitement of reading a book.”
Things you didn't know about Anthony Browne
• When he was a boy he wanted to be a journalist, a cartoonist, or a boxer.
• He was once asked to present a programme on children’s books, in a cage with some gorillas - but one gorilla bit him badly on the leg. It didn’t put him off them, but, he says “you wouldn’t catch me going into a cage with one again!”
• He grew up in a pub and when he was little, would go into the bar, stand on a table and tell stories about a character he’d made up called Big Dum Tackle.
• He wore short trousers until he was fifteen.
• He thinks the character, Willy, is based on his own childhood.
• When he was a boy, he wanted a real trumpet for his birthday, but he got a toy plastic one instead. He says his book, Gorilla, was partly based on that experience.
• He loves rugby and played as a scrum-half for eighteen years.
• His book The Tunnel was inspired by a very frightening tunnel he and his brother used to go down when they were boys.
• When he was a medical artist, he would often eat his lunch in the mortuary.
A new story about Willy the chimp is always exciting. Willy is off to the park when he notices a cloud following him. No matter how hard he tries he can’t escape it, and while everyone else is having fun, Willy sits and shivers. The police can’t help, and hiding inside just gets him hot and bothered. Only when Willy shouts at the cloud do things improve: in the resulting cloudburst Willy dances in the delicious cool rain, joyful and Fred Astaire-like! Browne is an extraordinarily adept storyteller and this funny, wry story explores feelings of anxiety and apprehension. As ever there’s so much to look at in the surreal illustrations, and children will discover more in each reading. ~ Andrea Reece
A new story about Willy the chimp is always exciting. Willy is off to the park when he notices a cloud following him. No matter how hard he tries he can’t escape it, and while everyone else is having fun, Willy sits and shivers. The police can’t help, and hiding inside just gets him hot and bothered. Only when Willy shouts at the cloud do things improve: in the resulting cloudburst Willy dances in the delicious cool rain, joyful and Fred Astaire-like! Browne is an extraordinarily adept storyteller and this funny, wry story explores feelings of anxiety and apprehension. As ever there’s so much to look at in the surreal illustrations, and children will discover more in each reading. ~ Andrea Reece
Shortlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2016. A Staff Pick of the Year 2015 - chosen by Louise Weir A stunning picture book with a story to each spread to inspire a child's own imagination into what happens next and all linked to 10 classic stories. Join Willy the gorilla as he becomes a character in each of these classic stories including to a mysterious desert island with a footprint in the sand; down a deep, dark rabbit hole full of curious objects; or perhaps on board a pirate ship, face to face with Captain Hook. Each adventure leaves a question for you the reader to continue your own adventure and perhaps guess into which classic story Willy's adventure has taken him? Willy's Stories is created by multiple-award-winning Anthony Browne and is a magical celebration of stories and the imagination. Originally published in 2014 to coincide with the publication of the 30th anniversary edition of Willy the Wimp, Willy's Stories shows Anthony Browne at the height of his powers as both an illustrator and author.
Anthony Browne uses the format of a counting book to focus attention on primates, animals that fascinate him. The book presents what are really a series of portraits so that on each page a primate, or group of primates, gaze out at the reader, demanding that you really look at them, appreciate their beauty, their dignity and their similarity to us. The book finishes with another portrait, this time of the artist – and then with a page depicting group of humans, all ages, all races: all primates, all our family. Far more than just a counting book, this is a work of art. ~ Andrea Reece
Fed up with being bullied Willy the gorilla decides to take action and if that means getting fitter and tougher then that's what he does. Suddenly the bullies are running away and even better Willy saves a girl from the bullies, with hilarious results. This delightful new edition celebrates 30 years of this timeless and award-winning picture book by multiple-award-winner Anthony Browne.
One of our Books of the Year 2014 A stunning picture book with a story to each spread to inspire a child's own imagination into what happens next and all linked to 10 classic stories. Join Willy the gorilla as he becomes a character in each of these classic stories including to a mysterious desert island with a footprint in the sand; down a deep, dark rabbit hole full of curious objects; or perhaps on board a pirate ship, face to face with Captain Hook. Each adventure leaves a question for you the reader to continue your own adventure and perhaps guess into which classic story Willy's adventure has taken him? Willy's Stories is created by multiple-award-winning Anthony Browne and is a magical celebration of stories and the imagination. Published in 2014 to coincide with the publication of the 30th anniversary edition of Willy the Wimp, Willy's Stories shows Anthony Browne at the height of his powers as both an illustrator and author.
Longlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal 2014 Award-winning former Children’s Laureate Anthony Browne takes readers on a counting journey from 1 Gorilla through other monkeys such as chimpanzees, mandrills and baboons before reaching 10 Lemurs. From them, he leaps to himself and all humans showing how all primates are inter-related. All the illustrations are stunning and with all the colour and drama of the natural world, Anthony Browne's detailed depictions of monkeys and apes bring a new depth to first numbers and convey an important message to us all. It encourages early numeracy through Anthony Browne's beautiful artwork. It also carries an important message about protecting our environment.
Former Children’s Laureate Anthony Browne’s famous Bear who can draw his way out of trouble finds himself face to face from some scary characters from fairy tales. What will he do to escape a club-wielding Giant or a pointy-chinned Witch? Luckily, Bear comes up with some original and effective ideas!
Award-winning Anthony Browne tells a touching story of how two children from very different families become friends partly through their dogs. When the dogs Victoria and Albert are let off the leads they race off together playing chase. Their owners sit far from each other on the bench. But gradually Smudge and Charles edge closer and together until they too set off to play. What of their parents? They remain as far apart as ever…Anthony Browne tells a rich story through his powerful and evocative illustrations.
Face-to-face with a lonely gorilla, an angry lion and a noisy crocodile, Bear uses his magic pencil to draw the very thing that will improve their lives. As ever, Anthony Broiwne’s illustrations are full of surprises and jokes!
A wonderful introduction to the art of Anthony Browne and in capturing some complex emotions also has great topic uses for Foundation stage.
Award-winning former Children’s Laureate Anthony Browne takes readers on a counting journey from 1 Gorilla through other monkeys such as chimpanzees, mandrills and baboons before reaching 10 Lemurs. From them, he leaps to himself and all humans showing how all primates are inter-related. All the illustrations are stunning and with all the colour and drama of the natural world, Anthony Browne's detailed depictions of monkeys and apes bring a new depth to first numbers and convey an important message to us all. It encourages early numeracy through Anthony Browne's beautiful artwork. It also carries an important message about protecting our environment.
Former Children’s Laureate Anthony Browne’s characteristic and affecting illustrations are skilful in capturing simple emotions. Happy, sad, lonely, guilty, confident and shy – all these and more are eloquently expressed on the faces of Browne’s endearing chimpanzees.
Former Children’s Laureate Anthony Browne’s characteristic and affecting illustrations are skilful in capturing simple emotions. Happy, sad, lonely, guilty, confident and shy – all these and more are eloquently expressed on the faces of Browne’s endearing chimpanzees.
Shortlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2011 Children’s Laureate Anthony Browne gives a thought provoking new take on the traditional story of Goldilocks. Here, Goldilocks, who lives on a dark and dreary estate portrayed all in greys in Browne’s urban landscape breaks into the idealised, sunlit ‘family’ home of the three bears. As is traditional, Goldilocks eats the porridge, breaks the chair and sleeps in the baby bear’s bed before being discovered and running off home. But, who really has the happier way of life? Anthony Browne leaves readers lots to think about.
Take a shape and transform it into something new...Top names, including Jo Brand, Quentin Blake, Jacqueline Wilson, Phillip Pullman, Imelda Staunton, Anthony Horowitz, Sir Peter Blake, Linford Christie and Andrew Motion, have played Anthony Browne's Shape Game and left a new shape behind for children to turn into whatever they want. This simple drawing game is the perfect way to encourage children to use their imaginations. A message from Anthony Browne, author, illustrator and Children's Laureate 2009-2011 The rules of the The Shape Game are very simple: the first player quickly draws any abstract shape at random, the second looks at it and then transforms it into something recognisable. It could be anything - a face, a dinosaur or a fried egg. It could be a doodle or a work of fine art. Like the players in this book, you can use any materials, from a basi felt-tip pen to paints, crayons or collage. Turn the paper upside down or sideways, take as much or as little time as you want - simply let your imagination run wild and fun! All the proceeds from this book will be donated to Rainbow Trust Children's Charity, which provides vital support to families who have a child with a life threatening or terminal illness.
Children’s Laureate Anthony Browne gives a thought provoking new take on the traditional story of Goldilocks. Here, Goldilocks, who lives on a dark and dreary estate portrayed all in greys in Browne’s urban landscape breaks into the idealised, sunlit ‘family’ home of the three bears. As is traditional, Goldilocks eats the porridge, breaks the chair and sleeps in the baby bear’s bed before being discovered and running off home. But, who really has the happier way of life? Anthony Browne leaves readers lots to think about.
Shortlisted for the prestigious 2008 Greenway. A reassuring story about dealing with all kinds of worries. Billy can't stop worrying until his grandma gives him a set of worry dolls. Billy tells the dolls his worries and, at last, he gets a good night's sleep. But then Billy has a new worry. What if the dolls aren't sleeping now? Billy come up with a very clever - and very sweet solution.
Brothers have a special relationship and younger brothers looking up to and emulating their older siblings is beautifully explored in this warm, funny and affectionate celebration of brothers by one of the UK's foremost author/illustrators, Anthony Browne.
Irresistible for all mums who’ll bask in the warm glow that comes from Anthony Browne’s loving celebration of the many wonderful things that mother’s do. With his familiar wit, Anthony Browne shows how women juggle the many things in their lives, how they be can strong and soft as well as comfortable and beautiful. There’s something to enjoy for every mum in here.
A picture book to share with those who might think they were beyond the picture book stage, Anthony Browne’s King Kong is a sumptuous book which gives an awesome visual version of the original King Kong film matched by a much abbreviated version of the original text. Based on the story of the giant gorilla and his dramatic adventures including the rescue of a beautiful lady in distress and battles with dinosaurs, it ends with the iconic final moment on the Empire State Building. A book to savour for the astonishing quality of the illustrations. (7+)
Greenaway winner in 1983.Wonderfully inventive story and almost tear-jerking at times but with a happy ending. The illustrations are both detailed and colourful and children will delight in them. I’m sure for some parents it really touches a nerve as one or other is often guilty of not spending enough time with a child. (3-7)To find out more about this book CLICK HERE to visit the Carnegie Greenaway site
Willy is tired of being a wimp so he decides it is time to take action! Willy is kind and gentle, and bullied by the suburban gorilla gang who call him Willy the Wimp . Desperate to do something about his situation, Willy answers a bodybuilding advert and grows big and strong, determined no one will ever call him wimp again.
Anthony Browne is at his most brilliant in a new edition of this profound picture book about sibling relations. Once upon a time there lived a brother and sister who were complete opposites and constantly fought and argued. One day they discovered the tunnel. The boy goes through it at once, dismissing his sister's fears. When he doesn't return his sister has to pluck up the courage to go through the tunnel too. She finds her brother in a mysterious forest where he has been turned to stone...
A stunning new edition of one of Anthony Browne's best-loved picture book stories. Mr Piggott and his two sons behave like pigs to poor Mrs Piggott - until, finally, she walks out. Left to fend for themselves, the male Piggotts undergo some curious changes!
A new edition of an outstanding picture book by one of the most popular of all contemporary author/illustrators. On Thursday morning at a quarter past ten, Joseph Kaye notices something odd about the kettle... Thus begins a remarkable day for Joseph, a day in which everything seems to change in the most peculiar of ways. The washbasin grows feet, the armchair becomes a gorilla, his bicycle wheel turns into an apple ... Joseph's father had said when he'd left that morning that everything was going to change. But what had he meant? The book explores the boy's state of mind as he prepares for the return of his parents with his new baby sister.
A stunning new edition of the classic picture book by a Hans Christian Andersen Award-winner. Hannah loves gorillas but has never seen one. Her father's too busy to take her to the zoo - or for anything else come to that. For her birthday, Hannah asks her father for a gorilla - but is disappointed when she discovers that the gorilla she's got is just a toy one. But then something extraordinary happens ... the toy turns into a real gorilla, who puts on her father's hat and coat and takes her off for a magical visit to the zoo...
She's nice, my mum...My mum's a fantastic cook, and a brilliant juggler. She's a great painter,and the strongest woman in the world! She's really nice, my mum. This book is a warm, funny tribute to Mum (and to mums everywhere) by the brilliant author/illustrator Anthony Browne.
Shortlisted for the prestigious 2008 Greenway. A reassuring story about dealing with all kinds of worries. Billy can't stop worrying until his grandma gives him a set of worry dolls. Billy tells the dolls his worries and, at last, he gets a good night's sleep. But then Billy has a new worry. What if the dolls aren't sleeping now? Billy come up with a very clever - and very sweet solution.
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