SCHEFFLER, Axel

"To work for children, you must have optimism."

German illustrator and animator Axel Scheffler was born in Hamburg, West Germany. He began studying History of Art at the university of Hamburg but left to work alternative National Service caring for the mentally ill.

In 1982 he moved to England and decided to become an illustrator after studying visual communications at Bath Academy of Art. 

After graduating Scheffler worked in advertising and publishing in London and began illustrating children’s books. He has contributed illustrations to several authors from Britain, Germany and the Netherlands, the most notable of whom is Julia Donaldson, with whom he worked on The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom and various other children’s stories which have earned international acclaim. 

Please scroll down to see our current selection of first editions.