Axel Scheffler was born in Hamburg, Germany and moved to England in 1982 to study illustration at Bath Academy of Art. In 1993 he was suggested as an illustrator for Julia Donaldson’s first picture book text, A Squash and a Squeeze. This was the start of a hugely successful partnership; their bestselling modern classic, The Gruffalo, has sold over 6million copies worldwide, has been translated into 50 languages, was nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal and won the 1999 Smarties Gold Award and the 2000 Blue Peter Award for The Best Book to Read Aloud. He has recently written and illustrated the Pip and Posy series of books for toddlers.
Q&A
1. Where do you find inspiration for your characters?
Mainly in the texts of authors I enjoy.
2. What was your favourite book (or author) as a child?
My favourite book was Jim Button and Luke the Engine Driver (original title Jim Knopf und Lukas der Lokomotivführer), a German children's novel written by Michael Ende.
3. Who is your favourite illustrator?
Without hesitation, William Steig, author and illustrator of Shrek picture book.
4. One person in six struggles with basic literacy; in your opinion, is enough being done to promote and develop literacy skills?
Surely not - enough will be done only when nobody has to struggle with basic literacy anymore.
5. What effect do you think the rise of e-readers will have on illustrated books?
I hope that illustrated children's books will still be around for a long time, but I think it is right to assume that more and more people will choose to read on screens.
6. Why have you chosen to support the National Literacy Trust?
Because I think it's an important cause to help people to become literate and the National Literacy Trust is doing very good work.
