Brian Wildsmith author page

Brian Wildsmith biography

Brian Wildsmith was a British artist and children’s book illustrator. He studied at the Slade School of Fine Art in London. Wildsmith began his career illustrating music books for Oxford University Press. In 1962, he published his first picture book, ABC, which won the Kate Greenaway Medal for distinguished illustration in a children’s book. His distinctive use of vibrant colour and expressive design became a hallmark of his work.

Wildsmith illustrated and wrote over 80 children’s books, including The Lion and the Rat (1963), The Owl and the Woodpecker (1964), Birds (1967), and A Christmas Story (1989). His books have been translated into multiple languages and published internationally. Wildsmith’s illustrations have been exhibited in galleries and museums, including the National Gallery in London.

He received several awards and honours, including the Premio Grafico at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair in 1966 and 1971. In 1994, the Brian Wildsmith Art Museum opened in Izu-kogen, Japan, dedicated to his work. Wildsmith’s final picture book, Wild Animals, was published in 2012.