Anthony Browne (author) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Anthony Browne CBE
Browne in 2010
Born	Anthony Edward Browne (1946-09-11) 11 September 1946 (age 78) Sheffield, Yorkshire, England
Occupation	Illustrator, writer
Period	1976–present
Genre	Children's picture books
Notable works	Gorilla
Notable awards	Kate Greenaway Medal 1983, 1992 Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration 2000
Children	2

Anthony Edward Tudor Browne (born 11 September 1946) is a famous British writer and illustrator. He is best known for his amazing picture books for children. Browne has created or illustrated over fifty books.

He won the important Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2000. This award is like the Nobel Prize for children's authors and illustrators. From 2009 to 2011, he was also the Children's Laureate. This special role celebrates children's literature in the UK. Browne has also won two Kate Greenaway Medals for his fantastic illustrations. His book Gorilla (1983) was even named one of the top ten winning works for the Medal's 50th anniversary!

Anthony Browne's Life and Work

Growing Up and Early Dreams

Anthony Browne was born on 11 September 1946 in Sheffield, England. His parents, Jack and Doris May Browne, ran a pub. Anthony and his older brother Michael grew up there. As a child, he loved art and drawing with his father. He also enjoyed playing rugby and cricket. When he was young, he thought about becoming a journalist, a cartoonist, or even a boxer. He later studied graphic design at Leeds College of Art. He finished his studies in 1967.

Starting His Art Career

After art school, Browne wanted to be a painter. But he needed money. So, he took a job as a medical illustrator. He made detailed paintings of operations for a hospital. After three years, this job became boring. He then started designing greeting cards for Gordon Fraser. He designed cards for five years. Then, he began writing and illustrating his own books.

His First Books and Big Success

Browne's first book, Through the Magic Mirror, came out in 1976. He wrote and illustrated it himself. His next book, A Walk in the Park, became popular. Bear Hunt (1979) was also a success. But his biggest breakthrough was Gorilla, published in 1983. This book was based on one of his greeting card designs. For Gorilla, he won the Kate Greenaway Medal. This award celebrates the best children's book illustrations by a British artist.

He was also recognized for his illustrations in Alice in Wonderland (1988). He won the Greenaway Medal again in 1992 for his book Zoo. His book Willy's Pictures (2000) was also highly praised.

Why Gorillas?

You might notice that gorillas appear often in Browne's books. He has said he is very interested in them. Once, he was asked to host a children's TV show. He had to sit in a cage with gorillas! Even though one bit him, he finished the interview before going to the hospital. His character "Willy" is even said to be based on himself.

Major Awards and Recognition

Anthony Browne has won many awards. In 1985, he and writer Annalena McAfee won a German youth literature prize. This was for their book Mein Papi, nur meiner! (The Visitors Who Came to Stay). He also won the Kurt Maschler Award three times. This award celebrated books where text and pictures work perfectly together. He won for Gorilla (1983), Alice's Adventure in Wonderland (1988), and Voices in the Park (1998).

In 2000, Browne received the Hans Christian Andersen Award. This is a huge international award for illustrators. It is the highest honor a children's writer or illustrator can get. Browne was the first British illustrator to win it!

Working with Art and Children

From 2001 to 2002, Browne worked at Tate Britain. This is a famous art museum in London. He worked with children, using art to help them understand pictures and write creatively. During this time, he created The Shape Game (2003).

In June 2009, he became the sixth Children's Laureate. This is a special two-year role in the UK. The Laureate promotes children's books and reading.

Global Reach

Anthony Browne's books are very popular around the world. They have been translated into 26 different languages! His illustrations have been shown in many countries. These include the United States, Mexico, France, Japan, and Germany. He lives in Canterbury, England.

In 2021, Anthony Browne was given a special honor. He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). This was for his great contributions to literature.

Anthony Browne's Books

Books Written and Illustrated by Anthony Browne

• Through the Magic Mirror (1976)
• A Walk in the Park (1977)
• Bear Hunt (1979)
• Look What I've Got! (1980)
• Bear Goes To Town (1982)
• Gorilla (1983) — won the Kate Greenaway Medal
• Willy the Wimp (1984)
• Willy the Champ (1985)
• Piggybook (1986)
• I Like Books (1988)
• The Little Bear Book (1988)
• A Bear-y Tale (1989)
• Things I Like (1989)
• The Tunnel (1989)
• Changes (1990)
• Willy and Hugh (1991)
• Zoo (1992) — won the Greenaway Medal
• The Big Baby: a little joke (1993)
• Willy the Wizard (1995)
• Willy the Dreamer (1997)
• Voices in the Park (1998)
• My Dad (2000)
• Willy's Pictures (2000)
• Anthony Browne Presents the Animal Fair: a spectacular pop-up (2002)
• The Shape Game (2003)
• Into the Forest (2004)
• My Mum (2005)
• Silly Billy (2006)
• My Brother (2007)
• Little Beauty (2008)
• Me and You (2011) — a new version of The Story of the Three Bears
• Play the Shape Game (2011)
• How Do You Feel? (2011)
• One Gorilla, A Counting Book (2012)
• What If...? (2013)
• Willy's Stories (2014)
• Frida and Bear (2015)
• Willy and the Cloud (2016)
• Hide and Seek (2017)

Books Illustrated by Anthony Browne

• Hansel and Gretel by Brothers Grimm (1981)
• The Visitors Who Came to Stay by Annalena McAfee (1984)
• Knock, knock! Who's there? by Sally Grindley (1985)
• Kirsty Knows Best by Annalena McAfee (1987)
• Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (1988)
• Trail of Stones by Gwen Strauss (1990)
• The Night Shimmy by Gwen Strauss (1991)
• The Topiary Garden by Janni Howker (1993)
• Anthony Browne's King Kong (1994) — based on the King Kong story
• The Daydreamer by Ian McEwan (1994)
• Anthony Browne, Playing the Shape Game by Joe Browne (2011)

See Also

In Spanish: Anthony Browne para niños