Eileen Soper facts for kids

Eileen Alice Soper (born March 26, 1905, died March 18, 1990) was a talented English artist. She was famous for her beautiful etchings, which are a type of printmaking. Eileen mostly drew pictures of children playing and animals. She illustrated many books for other authors, including the very popular Enid Blyton. She also wrote and drew pictures for her own children's books. Later in her life, Eileen focused on drawing and writing about wildlife. She even helped start the Society of Wildlife Artists.

Eileen Soper's Early Life

Eileen Soper was born in 1905 in Enfield. When she was three years old, her family moved to a house in the countryside of Hertfordshire. This house, which she later named "Wildings," was built by her father, George Soper, who was also an artist.

Eileen and her older sister, Eva, who was also an artist, inherited the house after their father passed away in 1942. They both lived there for the rest of their lives. Eileen went to Hitchin Girls School. She learned most of her art skills from her father.

Amazing Artistic Achievements

Eileen showed great artistic talent from a young age. When she was just 15, two of her etchings were displayed at the Royal Academy of Arts in London. This happened after she had already shown three prints at an exhibition in California.

She created about 180 etchings, mostly showing children playing. These were made until the early 1930s. Queen Mary bought two of Eileen's etchings in 1924, including one called Flying Swings. Her artwork was very popular and well-received in both the UK and the US.

Today, Eileen Soper is best known for her work with the famous author Enid Blyton. She drew all the pictures for the Famous Five books, which were published between 1942 and 1963.

Eileen also wrote and illustrated her own children's books in the 1940s. She even published a book of poetry. From the 1950s onwards, she spent most of her time drawing British wildlife. She often drew animals she saw around her home in Welwyn.

Later Years and Legacy

Eileen and her sister Eva lived together in "Wildings" until they both became ill around the same time. They both passed away in 1990.

Books Written by Eileen Soper

Eileen Soper wrote and illustrated several books for children and about wildlife.

Children's Stories

• Happy Rabbit (1947)
• Dormouse awake (1948)
• Sail away, shrew (1949)

Wildlife Books

• When badgers wake (1955)
• Wild encounters (1957)
• Wanderers of the field (1959)
• Wild Favours (1963)
• Muntjac (1969)

Poetry Collection

• Songs on the wind (1948)

Books Illustrated by Eileen Soper

Eileen Soper provided illustrations for many other authors' books.

• Famous Five Series by Enid Blyton (1942–1963)
• The Golden Years by Christine Chaundler (1950)
• Six in a Caravan by Bridget Mackenzie (1945)