Play Pen: New Children's Book Illustration

Once dismissed as a cozy world of teddy bears and fairies, the arrival on the scene of numerous highly original, contemporary, and "cool" graphic artists in recent years has transformed perceptions of children's book illustration. Children now grow up with a more informed and sophisticated visual diet—with cartoons, animated movies, comics, TV, and computer games—consuming a vast range of stylistic approaches, and illustrated books have moved to match the demands of a more discerning market. Equally, artists who in the past may not have considered the children's picture book as an appropriate vehicle for artistic expression are increasingly drawn to the area.

This book showcases some of the most interesting work emerging within the genre from a range of cultural backgrounds. It examines trends in use of media—both digital and traditional—and discusses the variety of approaches to subject matter.