Celebrating John Burningham

January 16th 2019

We were saddened to hear of the recent death of John Burningham, children’s author and illustrator of beloved picture books including Avocado Baby and Mr Gumpy’s Outing. Twice winner of the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal, he won for his first picture book, Borka, in 1963, and again with Mr Gumpy’s Outing in 1970. Just last year, Burningham and his wife and fellow illustrator Helen Oxenbury were given a joint Booktrust lifetime achievement award. His books have been enjoyed and treasured by children for many years. Here are a few of our favourites.   9780099200611 Avocado baby The Hargraves want their new baby to grow up big and strong. But the puny mite will hardly eat a thing. One day Mrs Hargraves finds an avocado in the fruit bowl and the baby gobbles it up. Soon, the strangest things start to happen...   9780099408796 Mr Gumpy’s Outing Mr Gumpy's quiet trip on the river is invaded by an assortment of animals, all of whom are welcome if they behave, but they don’t, and everyone ends up in the river.   9780099666813 Courtney "We don't know where he came from. Nobody wants him and he's an old dog." "We want Courtney," said the children, and they took him home. And when they do, the children find out that Courtney, the mongrel-that-nobody wants, has the most amazing talents...   9780099434085 Granpa The story of the relationship between a little girl and her granddad. Adorable Granpa nurses his granddaughter's dolls, mistakes her strawberry-flavoured pretend ice-cream for chocolate, and falls in with her imaginary plans to captain a ship to Africa.   9780099200413 Would you rather… Would you rather drink snail squash or eat mashed worms? Help a witch make a stew? Tickle a monkey? Or maybe - if you could really be anyone or do anything in the world - would you rather just be ...you?   9780099439691 The magic bed Georgie acquires a magic bed that transports him to magical places. When Georgie outgrows his old bed, he chooses his new bed from a second-hand shop. The shop keeper tells him that it is a magic bed and will take him to any place that he wishes. When he says his prayer and whispers the inscription written on the headboard, in no time at all he is reuniting baby tigers with their parents, having races with witches, swimming with dolphins, stealing pirate treasure, and reading stories to fairies and gnomes. But when he goes on holiday, what will happen to his bed while he is away...   9781406331080 There’s going to be a baby – with Helen Oxenbury A little boy imagines all the things his new baby brother or sister might be when they grow up When is the baby coming? What will we call it? What will the baby do? We don't really need the baby, do we? This title brims with love, excitement and reassurance as the child in the story imagines all kinds of colourful futures for the brother or sister he is waiting to meet.   9781406314472 It’s a secret A girl goes on a night-time adventure with her cat where they go to a party for the Queen of the Cats Join Marie Elaine on a thrilling rooftop journey that takes her to a most unusual party! One-night Marie Elaine finds her cat Malcolm dressed to go to a party. On condition she keep his secret, Malcolm agrees to let her come with him, and they set off through the streets - a dangerous journey, for Marie Elaine is now as small as her cat! At the party there are cats and more cats, and they are all very excited... the Queen of the Cats is on her way! It is a night that Marie Elaine will never forget - and she won't forget to keep the secret either!   9780099899303 The shopping basket Steven is sent down to the shops by his mother. But will he be able to get his shopping home in one piece past the bear, the monkey, the kangaroo, the goat, the pig, and the elephant...?