4 Comments
User's avatar
Rosie Millard's avatar

Absolutely lovely piece and such great commentary on the innovations Briggs uses. And I never knew he used those wonderful Caran d'Ache pencils!

Expand full comment
Tobias Sturt's avatar

You've made me panic now and double check that, and while I've seen Caran d'Ache referenced in a few places (Derwent as well), I can't find any primary sources, dammit. You'd think that would be the sort of thing exhaustively recorded somewhere on the Internet. Nevertheless, I'm going to continue hoping that he had some, at least.

Expand full comment
Mapledurham's avatar

Every frame from this book and its sequel, “Father Christmas Goes On Holiday”, are etched into my memory. Thank you for distilling just how much they’re designed for children’s delight.

Expand full comment
Tobias Sturt's avatar

Thank you! One thing I could have said more about, I think, is how his specific detail rewards re-reading, poring over the book again and again, as children do, discovering more and more. But that may be a point best saved for when we cover Fungus the Bogeyman.

Expand full comment