Two of our Guest Editors chose Not Now, Bernard - celebrating it's 35th anniversary in 2015 - as one of their favourite books.
Sophie Mckenzie 'This dark, rather depressing picture book opened my eyes to what was possible with children's writing. Adults often assume kids should be protected from what scares or threatens them in literature, but Not now, Bernard, helped me to realise that nothing needs to be taboo - its all in how you treat the material.'
and chosen by Michael Rosen. 'An Andersen classic, this well-loved picture book story is about parents too preoccupied to notice their own child! They are so busy doing their own thing, that a monster can eat Bernard's dinner, break his toys, and even eat Bernard, without being noticed! An hilarious cautionary tale.'
The perennial and well-loved classic picture book story about parents too preoccupied to notice their own child. Bernard's parents are so busy doing their own thing, that the monster can eat Bernard's dinner, break his toys, and even eat Bernard, without being noticed!
David McKee (1935 - 2022) was the creator of well-known characters including King Rolo, Mr Benn and Elmer the Patchwork Elephant, which is now published in more than 60 languages and has its own successful global merchandise programme. David was born in Devon and went to Plymouth Art Colege, where he had a traditional training. On leaving co lege he drew regularly for Punch, Reader’s Digest, and The Times Educational Supplement. His drawings were influenced especia ly by Saul Steinberg and Andre Francois. In 2020, David won the British Book Awards Illustrator of the Year Award and BookTrust’s Lifetime Achievement Award.