Helen Oxenbury

Helen Oxenbury was raised in Ipswich, Suffolk. From an early age she developed a passion for drawing and after leaving school decided to pursue her dream and attend the Ipswich School of Art. She later went on She went on to study in London at the Central School Of Art and Design.

After marrying the children’s book illustrator John Burningham in 1964, she turned to illustrating children’s books herself. In 1980, she created a series of books about a mischievous young boy called Tom, and his stuffed monkey, Pippo. She commented that Tom was very much like her own son in his younger years.

Helen Oxenbury is among the most popular and critically acclaimed illustrators of her time and has illustrated numerous books for children including Smarties Book Prize-winning Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell; We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen.