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Writer and illustrator David McKee has been named as this year's Illustrator of the Fair at LBF.
McKee is the creator of the iconic children’s book series Elmer the Patchwork Elephant (Andersen Press), will be attending LBF on Tuesday 12th March, when he will discuss his career and bestselling Elmer series at a special ‘In Conversation’ event, as part of the Illustrate Your Point programme.
He said: “I have been making children’s books and illustrating for a long time, so to be asked now to be the Illustrator of the London Book Fair is a surprise and a real honour. I’ve always said with picture books, both the words and the illustrations tell the story - what you’ve drawn you don’t have to write – so for The London Book fair to now promote the work of an illustrator in this way is very important. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone and talking about my favourite thing – making pictures.”
LBF director Jacks Thomas said: “We are absolutely thrilled to host David McKee as Illustrator of the Fair this year, and there’s even more to celebrate with the 30th anniversary of Elmer the Patchwork Elephant. In its second year, the Illustrate Your Point programme is a very special part of the Book Fair, and 2019 sees even more exciting events that showcase the importance of illustration and design in the publishing industry.”
The announcement comes as organisers reveal the illustration programme which will see the designers behind the sell-out Killed Covers events bring a brand-new event to LBF, "COVER MEETING: An Insight into the Cover Design Process", which will be a practical session to uncover how the decisions leading to the creation of the final book cover are made.
Vintage creative director Suzanne Dean will share her career highlights and tips of how to get your first job in design in "Diary of a Creative Director", and Agrafka Art Studio (Bologna Ragazzi Award Winners) will talk about its unique visual language in "From Braille to Kandinsky".
Other events include "Looking into the Future: Children's Picture Book Illustration", organised by Klaus Flugge Prize, for anyone with an interest in creating or selling picture books, and "Breaking New Ground: A Launch and Call to Action Celebrating British Writers and Illustrators of Colour" where Speaking Volumes will launch Breaking New Ground, a brochure celebrating the contribution of 100 British writers and illustrators who are producing brilliant work for children and young people.