A Bear Called Paddington

About the Illustrator

Peggy Fortnum (1919–2016) was a British illustrator best known for bringing Paddington Bear to life. After studying at the Central School of Arts and Crafts in London, she worked as a painter, printmaker and teacher before turning to book illustration. In 1958 she was commissioned to illustrate Michael Bond’s A Bear Called Paddington, creating the first visual interpretation of the marmalade-loving bear. Her distinctive pen-and-ink drawings, full of warmth and gentle humour, quickly became inseparable from Paddington’s identity and remain beloved worldwide. Beyond Paddington, Fortnum illustrated more than 80 books, including works by Noel Streatfeild and Dorothy Edwards, as well as classics by George Bernard Shaw and Dylan Thomas. In 2006 she was awarded the Booktrust Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her enduring contribution to children’s literature. Fortnum’s illustrations continue to delight readers of all ages, perfectly capturing the spirit of curiosity, kindness and quiet mischief.

About the Illustrator

Peggy Fortnum (1919–2016) was a British illustrator best known for bringing Paddington Bear to life. After studying at the Central School of Arts and Crafts in London, she worked as a painter, printmaker and teacher before turning to book illustration. In 1958 she was commissioned to illustrate Michael Bond’s A Bear Called Paddington, creating the first visual interpretation of the marmalade-loving bear. Her distinctive pen-and-ink drawings, full of warmth and gentle humour, quickly became inseparable from Paddington’s identity and remain beloved worldwide. Beyond Paddington, Fortnum illustrated more than 80 books, including works by Noel Streatfeild and Dorothy Edwards, as well as classics by George Bernard Shaw and Dylan Thomas. In 2006 she was awarded the Booktrust Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her enduring contribution to children’s literature. Fortnum’s illustrations continue to delight readers of all ages, perfectly capturing the spirit of curiosity, kindness and quiet mischief.

About the Illustrator

Peggy Fortnum (1919–2016) was a British illustrator best known for bringing Paddington Bear to life. After studying at the Central School of Arts and Crafts in London, she worked as a painter, printmaker and teacher before turning to book illustration. In 1958 she was commissioned to illustrate Michael Bond’s A Bear Called Paddington, creating the first visual interpretation of the marmalade-loving bear. Her distinctive pen-and-ink drawings, full of warmth and gentle humour, quickly became inseparable from Paddington’s identity and remain beloved worldwide. Beyond Paddington, Fortnum illustrated more than 80 books, including works by Noel Streatfeild and Dorothy Edwards, as well as classics by George Bernard Shaw and Dylan Thomas. In 2006 she was awarded the Booktrust Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her enduring contribution to children’s literature. Fortnum’s illustrations continue to delight readers of all ages, perfectly capturing the spirit of curiosity, kindness and quiet mischief.

About the Illustrator

Peggy Fortnum (1919–2016) was a British illustrator best known for bringing Paddington Bear to life. After studying at the Central School of Arts and Crafts in London, she worked as a painter, printmaker and teacher before turning to book illustration. In 1958 she was commissioned to illustrate Michael Bond’s A Bear Called Paddington, creating the first visual interpretation of the marmalade-loving bear. Her distinctive pen-and-ink drawings, full of warmth and gentle humour, quickly became inseparable from Paddington’s identity and remain beloved worldwide. Beyond Paddington, Fortnum illustrated more than 80 books, including works by Noel Streatfeild and Dorothy Edwards, as well as classics by George Bernard Shaw and Dylan Thomas. In 2006 she was awarded the Booktrust Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her enduring contribution to children’s literature. Fortnum’s illustrations continue to delight readers of all ages, perfectly capturing the spirit of curiosity, kindness and quiet mischief.

About the Illustrator

Peggy Fortnum (1919–2016) was a British illustrator best known for bringing Paddington Bear to life. After studying at the Central School of Arts and Crafts in London, she worked as a painter, printmaker and teacher before turning to book illustration. In 1958 she was commissioned to illustrate Michael Bond’s A Bear Called Paddington, creating the first visual interpretation of the marmalade-loving bear. Her distinctive pen-and-ink drawings, full of warmth and gentle humour, quickly became inseparable from Paddington’s identity and remain beloved worldwide. Beyond Paddington, Fortnum illustrated more than 80 books, including works by Noel Streatfeild and Dorothy Edwards, as well as classics by George Bernard Shaw and Dylan Thomas. In 2006 she was awarded the Booktrust Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her enduring contribution to children’s literature. Fortnum’s illustrations continue to delight readers of all ages, perfectly capturing the spirit of curiosity, kindness and quiet mischief.