Laurence Anholt

Laurence Anholt (born 4 August 1959) is a UK-based author/illustrator of more than 100 children’s books, published in over 40 languages and notable for their upbeat and humorous approach to important issues for young children. Titles are often based on his own family experience and are typified by a quirky, hand drawn pen and watercolour style.

Background

Awards

International awards include the Nestlé Smarties Gold Award 2001^[1] for 'Chimp and Zee', written by Laurence Anholt, illustrated by Catherine Anholt and the Nestlé Smarties Gold Award 1999 for 'Snow White and the Seven Aliens', one of the 'Seriously Silly Stories' written by Laurence Anholt, Illustrated by Arthur Robins. Publishers include: Bloomsbury Children's Books, Walker Books, Puffin Books and Orchard Books.

Laurence's work in children’s publishing has taken him inside Downing Street and Buckingham Palace on several occasions. The Anholts work from their studios in Lyme Regis, Dorset, where, alongside their children’s books, they produce numerous paintings, prints and sculptures. Laurence has been amongst the 150 Most Borrowed Author’s from UK Libraries, across all genres for many years and the PLR (Public Lending Right) listed Laurence Anholt at position 146 in 2007/8.^[2]

Amanda Craig, writing about Laurence Anholt's book 'Seven for a Secret' in the Times, said "Anholt’s bestselling Chimp and Zee books, and his dramatisations of the lives of Picasso, Degas and Monet, were outstanding in showing a child’s- eye view of family life and art, but this has a new depth."^[3]

Laurence was included in the Independent on Sunday’s Top 10 Children’s Authors in the UK and has been described by Glasgow Library Services as ‘one of the most versatile writers working for children today’.

Current projects include a full-scale stage musical adaptation of 'Camille and the Sunflowers', Laurence’s story about Vincent Van Gogh, which is currently touring Korea, China and Japan; an animated version of 'Degas and the Little Dancer' by the creators of 'Titanic', 'Spiderman' and 'Polar Express'; a ballet adaptation of the same book by the Nashville Ballet.

Camille and the Sunflowers(also known as "Van Gogh and the Sunflowers") is also available as an iPad App at the iTunes AppStore. The book has been digitized by Auryn Inc, a digital publisher that makes children's stories come alive on iPad and other Tablet devices.

The extraordinary 'Chimp and Zee, Bookshop by the Sea' in Lyme Regis (sold in August 2008) was the UK’s first author-owned bookshop; stocked entirely with signed books, prints and original artwork by the Anholts. It was described by the Society of Authors as ‘an iconic bookshop’ and was shortlisted for the HSBC Small Business Award.

References