"Willy The Dreamer" By Anthony Browne (Published by Walker Books Ltd, London 1997) Part-3

This is an excerpt from the author's biography in the book: "Anthony Browne (born in 1946) is one of today's most popular and acclaimed children's artists. In March 2000 he received the highest international distinction for a picture book artist, becoming the first British illustrator to win the Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration. His many other awards include the Kate Greenaway Medal for Gorilla and Zoo, and the Kurt Maschler Award for Gorilla, Alice's Adventures In Wonderland and Voices In The Park. Willy The Dreamer was short listed for the Kate Greenaway Medal..."  Here's the author's wonderful website full of pictures, list of all his books, biography etc:http://www.anthonybrownebooks.com/about/

Below is the opening page for "Willy The Dreamer" and below that is the last page of the story - I love spotting the differences between the two and admiring the artist's ingenuity, skill and imagination. A great book for adults and kids alike!

"Willy The Dreamer" By Anthony Browne (Published by Walker Books Ltd, London 1997) Part 2

If I had to pick only one of Anthony Browne's brilliant books, this would be the one! It's a majestic journey through Willy's memories, aspirations, past and future using famous paintings (mainly from the surrealist movement) as a backdrop. The one above, for example, has reference from Giorgio De Chirico's work. The one below that from Salvador Dali's ""The Persistence Of Memory"(1931) and the last one from Rene Magritte's "Reproduction Prohibited"(1937). The pictures from my previous post, display Willy's dreams about being a film star, a famous painter or a rock idol (ie Elvis why not?)! The bananas and Willy's characteristic  pair of the red and green socks at present where ever possible!

"Willy The Dreamer" By Anthony Browne (Published by Walker Books Ltd, London 1997) Part 1

"Look What I've Got" By Anthony Browne (published by Walker Books Ltd, London 1996 - Orininally published by Julia MacRae Books 1980) Part 4

 

 

There are plenty of visual jokes in the book - in contrast with minimal amount of dialogue. I love the one above with the "x", "z" and "y" fronts hanging from the washing line (along with the superman suit and the three-breasted bra!). A warm, funny story and a classic book.

 

There are quite a few articles and biographies on Anthony Browne available online - but I couldn't find an official website by the author. Here is an interview about his life and work: http://www.booktrust.org.uk/books/children/illustrators/interviews/69 and the Wikipedia entry is good for listing his large catalogue of picture books:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Browne_(author) 

 

"Look What I've Got" By Anthony Browne (published by Walker Books Ltd, London 1996 - Orininally published by Julia MacRae Books 1980) Part 3

 

 

"Look What I've Got" By Anthony Browne (published by Walker Books Ltd, London 1996 - Orininally published by Julia MacRae Books 1980) Part 2

 

The wonderful and mysterious surrealism of Anthony Browne knows no boundaries.  I scanned several details from this one illustration(above) to show just how many animals and birds the artist was able to hide within one picture!  A real treat for any child's imagination.

 

 

"Look What I've Got" By Anthony Browne (published by Walker Books Ltd, London 1996 - Orininally published by Julia MacRae Books 1980) Part 1

 

 

"Alice's Adventures In Wonderland" By Lewis Carroll, Illustrated By Anthony Browne (First published by Julia MacRae Books in 1988; this edition published by Walker Books Ltd, 2003) Part 3

 

Many references from the great surrealist artist Rene Magritte(1898-1967) but still Anthony Browne's imagination and humour are unique and limitless! There is no official website by the artist unfortunately, but here's a link for the Wikipedia entry which has a comprehensive list of his books as well as links for articles and galleries with his work:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Browne_(author) 

 

 

 

"Alice's Adventures In Wonderland" By Lewis Carroll, Illustrated By Anthony Browne (First published by Julia MacRae Books in 1988; this edition published by Walker Books Ltd, 2003) Part 2

 

I wanted to buy this book ever since I saw the above illustration published in a magazine article, around 1989, but never got the chance. I was so thrilled to discover this - very well priced - immaculate edition at a charity shop in Edinburgh a couple of weeks ago. I am still stunned by the depth, detail and imagination of these illustrations by the incredible Anthony Browne. I've been collecting his books for a long time now, and had fun watching my kids trying to discover the hidden characters within the illustrations and figuring out the various surreal narratives.

I have scanned some close-ups from this picture to show the level of detail this artist can produce, and to show the endless visual narratives within almost every object.

"Alice's Adventures In Wonderland" By Lewis Carroll, Illustrated By Anthony Browne (First published by Julia MacRae Books in 1988; this edition published by Walker Books Ltd, 2003) Part 1