Quentin Blake's Magical Tales

About John Yeoman, Quentin Blake

John Yeoman (pictured) is the author of A Drink of Water, which was the very first children's book Quentin Blake illustrated. Since then, Yeoman has teamed up with Quentin Blake on many other children's books.

Quentin Blake was born in 1932 and has been drawing ever since he can remember. His first drawing was published in Punch when he was only 16. He studied English at Downing College, Cambridge, and after that he did a postgraduate teaching diploma at the University of London. This was followed by a part-time course at Chelsea Art School.

Quentin has received many awards for his books including the Kate Greenaway Medal, the Children's Book Award, the Emil/Kurt Maschler Award, the Bologna Regazzi Prize and the 2002 Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration, which is the highest international recognition given to creators of children's books.

He is also famous for illustrating books for other authors, including Joan Aiken, Michael Rosen and Russell Hoban. But he is most famous for the illustrations he did for Roald Dahl's books.

Quentin Blake was awarded the O.B.E. in 1988, and in 1999 he was appointed the first Children's Laureate. This position, which he held for two years, saw him undertaking lots of ambitious projects in his quest to spread the word about the exciting world of children's books.

The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award rewards the best in contemporary children's and young adult literature from all over the world. Quentin Blake has been shortlisted for the award, the winner of which will be announced in March 2010.