Axel Scheffler

Children's book illustrator.

Axel Scheffler biography and information

Axel Scheffler is a book illustrator best known for creating artwork for children's books, particularly The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child written by Julia Donaldson.

Originally from Germany, he came to England in 1982. He studied at the Bath Academy of Art and worked in advertising and publishing after graduating in 1985.

His big break came in 1992 when he was approached by Julia Donaldson's publisher to illustrate her first picture book, A Squash and a Squeeze. However, it wasn't until the book's launch party that he finally met Julia in person, and the rest as they say is history.

According to Julia, "...it was through him sending me pictures for fun that I got to know him personally. He started sending letters and postcards - he still does - and he would decorate the envelopes with paintings, or incorporate a stamp of the Queen and turn it into one of the Queen mounted on a Gruffalo." (The Independent)

Axel and Julia have now collaborated together for over 20 years and remain one of the most creative partnerships in the Children's books world, drawing comparisons to Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake.

Whilst Axel's illustrations have become famous worldwide, he prefers to shy away from the limelight, instead he works in a renovated attic overlooking a peaceful garden with a walnut tree.