Quentin Blake (1932 – )

1932) is an English illustrator and children's writer. He is known for his illustrations for Roald Dahl but also is an author of books himself. In 1960, Blake illustrated his first children's book, John Yeoman's A Drink of Water and in 1968, he wrote his first children's book, Patrick, which he illustrated in full color. In 1974, Blake illustrated the first Dr. Suess book that was not illustrated by the author himself, A Great Day for Up!

In his magical, scratchy style, Blake has illustrated over 300 books by at least 80 different writers and the number continues to grow.

Quentin Blake's books have won numerous prizes and awards, including the Whitbread Award, the Kate Greenaway Medal, the Emil/Kurt Maschler Award, and the international Bologna Ragazzi Prize. In 1999, he was appointed the first-ever Children's Laureate, a post designed to raise the profile of children's literature. Three years later, Blake received the Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration, the highest international recognition given to creators of children's books. Additionally, in 2013, Princes Charles knighted Quentin Blake for services to illustration.