John Strickland Goodall facts for kids
John Strickland Goodall (born June 7, 1908 – died June 2, 1996) was a British artist. He was a talented watercolour painter and illustrator. Goodall became famous for his unique "wordless" picture books, like The Adventures of Paddy Pork. These books told stories using only pictures, without any words. He also created many other illustrations for magazines, like the Radio Times, and for books by the author known as Miss Read. Goodall was loved for his beautiful artwork, which often showed scenes from the Victorian era and the Edwardian period.
Life Story of John Goodall
John Goodall was born in Heacham, Norfolk, England, on June 7, 1908. His father, Joseph Strickland Goodall, was a very well-known heart doctor. John came from a family with many doctors.
He went to Harrow School when he was younger. Instead of going to university, his father allowed him to train as an artist. He learned from two family friends, Sir Arthur Stockdale Cope and John Watson Nicol. From 1925 to 1929, John studied art at the Royal Academy of Arts. He married Margaret Nicol in 1933.
During the Second World War, Goodall worked as a camouflage artist. This meant he helped hide military objects by making them blend into their surroundings. He was based in India during this time. In 1943, he had his first art show in Calcutta.
After the war, he and his wife settled in Tisbury, Wiltshire. They lived in a lovely cottage that appeared in many of his paintings. John Strickland Goodall passed away in Shaftesbury on June 2, 1996. A self-portrait he painted during the Second World War is kept at the National Portrait Gallery, London.
Goodall's Children's Books
John Goodall created many popular children's books. These books were special because they told stories without words, using only his detailed illustrations.
- The Adventures of Paddy Pork (1968) – This book won the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award in 1969.
- Shrewbettina's Birthday (1971)
- Creepy Castle (1975)
- Naughty Nancy (1975)
- Jacko (1976)
- The Surprise Picnic (1977)
- Lavinia's Cottage (1982)
- Paddy Goes Travelling (1982)
Other Books by Goodall
Besides his children's books, John Goodall also illustrated many other books. These often showed scenes from the past, especially the Victorian and Edwardian eras in England.
- An Edwardian Summer (1976)
- An Edwardian Christmas (1977)
- The Story of an English Village (1978)
- An Edwardian Diary for 1979 (1978)
- An Edwardian Season (1980)
- Before the War 1908-1939 (1981)
- Edwardian Entertainments (1982)
- Above and Below Stairs (1983)
- An Edwardian Holiday (1983)
- Victorians Abroad (1983)
- The Story of a Castle (1986)
- The Story of a Main Street (1987)
- The Story of a High Street (1987)
- The Story of a Farm (1989)
- The Story of the Seashore (1990)
- Great Days of a Country House (1991)
- John S. Goodall's Album (1994)
