Arctic and Antarctic art adventures with Axel Scheffler

Perhaps best known for his successful partnership with celebrated author Julia Donaldson, the incredibly talented Axel Scheffler has illustrated a number of beloved children’s books including Room on the Broom and The Gruffalo. Perfect for the wintertime, Jonty Gentoo: The Adventures of a Penguin is a heartwarming new title that tells the story of a plucky penguin’s journey as he tries to find his place in the world, with beautiful artwork from Axel throughout. We spoke with Axel to get his thoughts on illustrating this new book, and to get some advice for young creatives as well…

What do you most enjoy when illustrating children’s books? Often, the first step of drawing and developing the character, sketching everything out and working on a storyboard. Also, when I’m just absorbed by colouring in. With every job, you have your good and bad days but on the whole, it’s a very nice job to have.

Which character in ‘Jonty Gentoo’ was your favourite to bring to life? It has to be the hero of the story, Jonty! I had to look up what a gentoo penguin looks like and I quite enjoyed drawing the Arctic and Antarctic landscapes and scenery. I’d never done the Northern Lights before, so that was a new challenge. I prefer drawing animals and nature to drawing people.

How can parents best support their children to be creative and to develop their artistic talents? I think just by supplying art materials. It’s nice to try different things with children - perhaps crayons, pens, paints or collage. There are many ways of creating images. I don’t think children always need much encouragement to explore.

Can you recommend any fun art activities for families to try together?
I know it’s frowned upon but I remember doing a lot of tracing, tracing things and then colouring them in. Also copying and drawing things from other pictures. Colouring is good and many children like to colour anyway.

What advice would you give to any young people or parents that are wanting to pursue art and illustration as a career?
It’s not big advice really but draw as much as you can! Look at lots of books to see the amazing range of illustrators and styles that are around. If you’re really considering pursuing it as a career, it’s very important to see how other people react to your drawings. A lot of practise is needed too.

What are your hopes for families that read this new book?
It’s a story that should entertain and give joy to people when they read it, but for me it’s also about the plight of nature and about how penguins are threatened by extinction. That was always there in the back of my mind. I hope awareness can be raised about climate change, that would be great.

Do you have any exciting new projects that families should look out for?
Another book in the Acorn Wood series, ‘Hare’s New Dress’ will be coming out next spring. I’ve also been working on a new book for a refugee charity that I’m Patron of, Three Peas. We previously did a book called ‘Kind’ and Scholastic will be publishing another book to help the charity called ‘Welcome’. I’ll be doing all of the drawings and it’s about friendship, togetherness and how we can all help others feel welcome, coming out in summer.

Jonty Gentoo: The Adventures of a Penguin by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler is out now, published by Alison Green Books, Scholastic Children’s Books.

Photography © Liam Jackson / Illustrations © Axel Scheffler, 2024