Style speaks: to children’s illustrator Axel Scheffler

Style speaks

to children’s illustrator Axel Scheffler

On the deep dark woods of the Isle of Wight…

Although I’ve been to the Isle of Wight a number of times for short holidays I have yet to explore Firestone Copse – who knows what I might encounter there!

On bringing The Gruffalo to life…

It makes me feel a little dizzy when I think of the worldwide impact of the book we have created. It does really seem to appeal to children all over the world in spite of the very European wood, which I would draw a little darker and deeper and scarier if I had the chance. The variation of the David and Goliath theme, with a more benign ending, seems to be a universal tale that works across many cultures. The reading of picture books by parents to their children is such an intimate and important moment for families, and I feel both very proud, and humbled, to have provided such a popular book for this moment.

On (or, rather, against) tribalism...

The story of The Smeds and the Smoos is inspired by a Romeo-andJuliet-like situation – two alien tribes, not thinking much of each other and full of prejudice. I worked on it at the time of the EU referendum and it seemed very topical in a time of division in this country, as well as the underlying xenophobia of the whole

Photo credit Liam Jackson

Brexiteer faction. I was, and still am, very sad about the decision of large parts of British society to vote for Brexit. As a migrant myself who came here because the EU guaranteed me to live and work in any EU country, I felt as if somebody was pulling the carpet from underneath my feet and that, in spite of my contribution to British children’s books, I didn’t feel as if I’m welcome anymore. My dedication “to the children of Europe” was really a hint at the Brexit situation with hope that other times will come, when friendship and cooperation are restored. It should really be dedicated, like all our books, to the children of the world.

On green stew or pink milk…

As a German, I am of course, a brown bread person.

On the moral in the message…

I like the way Julia Donaldson’s texts are always very subtle with their messages. They are always well wrapped in an enjoyable tale. They are often based on existing stories, so many themes are universal and timeless. I do think many stories have a message of solidarity and friendship – that we have to help each other when in trouble. I think the message of The Smeds and The Smoos is to accept and love the “alien”, the foreigner, who is different from our own group (and of course not really!) is very fitting in these times of division and growing xenophobia.

On advice for budding illustrators…

Although the illustrators and young artists on the Isle of Wight live in an especially beautiful part of the country – so I hope the nature around them could inspire their art – my advice wouldn’t be that different to artists elsewhere, and it’s not very original. Be curious about art, look at books and go to museums. For me it was also important to take note of the reaction of other people to my drawings: even if I thought something was not very good, other people liked it and that is very useful when you want to earn a living with art.

See Axel Scheffler at the Isle of Wight Story Festival, on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th February at Quay Arts. Follow @iwstoryfestival for updates.