World-renowned children’s books’ illustrator Axel Scheffler showed how his detailed doodles have adorned many of the world’s best selling books during a morning at King’s Infants.
Born and raised in Hamburg Axel Scheffler moved to Britain to study Fine Art at the Bath Academy, subsequently moving to London to work in book illustration and advertising.
His most famous collaboration has been with Julia Donaldson, author of the multi-million selling world wide smash hit ‘The Gruffalo’ and he is currently working on her new book.
On creating the immediately identifiable Gruffalo characters, Axel said: “I did the initial drawings in my sketchbook one afternoon. When I showed them to my editor she said the monster was too scary, so I softened him. At first I gave the mouse character clothes, but Julia didn't like that.”
During his visit, Axel told the children a story drawing illustrations as the plot unfolded. His drawings will now be raffled during the King’s annual charity coffee morning to raise funds for MacMillan Cancer Relief. This event raised £121.90 with King’s Infants also donating £150.00 to go to MacMillan Cancer Relief.
King’s Head of Infants Emma Warburton said: “Axel Scheffler has a rare gift and to watch him produce such wonderful drawings so effortlessly was a wonderful privilege for children and staff alike.”
Pictured with Axel are King’s infants Jacob and Gabriella.
