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  Just a few of Browne’s popular children’s book titles.

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  Anthony Browne. Photo: Laurence Cendrowicz.

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  Browne asked kids aged eight and under to help write The Bear With The Magic Pencil.

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  Browne shares insights into his childhood, his training and his career as an artist in this captivating memoir, Playing The Shape Game.

One of the most common questions Children’s Laureate Anthony Browne gets asked is why he draws gorillas so much? His first answer is that they’re such interesting creatures to draw. But he also says, “Gorillas represent a strange departure from humanity, which ties in well with the surreal, alternative version of reality I present in my books.”

One of the most celebrated creators of picture books, including Voices in the Park, Zoo and the Kate Greenaway Medal winner, Gorilla, Browne has become a master of shaping delightfully off-centre reality in his works. Children and adults alike are irresistibly drawn to his quiet, almost melancholy humour and complex scenes of not-quite-everyday life.

In 2009, Browne accepted the post of Sixth Children’s Laureate. It’s the latest in a long line of accolades, which include the Kurt Maschler Award and the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award. As part of his role, Browne returned to his own childhood game, called “The Shape Game”, which he used to play with his brother Michael. Celebrities, authors and illustrators had great fun creating original artwork from an abstract shape created by Browne. Children didn’t get left out of the action. The Sun newspaper hosted a competition where kids were invited to help Browne make up a new story, starring his famous character Bear, complete with pictures. The result became Bear’s Magic Pencil, with proceeds of both events donated to the Rainbow Trust.

This year, Browne passes his Laureate to Julia Donaldson.

“It doesn’t feel as though it’s going to end at the moment but it’s been fantastic, I’ve really enjoyed it,” he says. “The one thing I’m looking forward to is to be able to concentrate on my own work, to be able to spend weeks at a time painting in my studio.”

We look forward to seeing the shape of what’s to come.

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