Where the Wild Lines Are

A detailed and visual history of the last century of children’s book illustration.

Children’s books tell more than just stories. They stimulate the imagination, convey feelings and world views, and help children to explore the world. They appeal to children and adults alike through their idiosyncratic narratives, but above all through their diverse and unusual illustrations and individual styles. Their creative appeal lies in the variety of illustrative possibilities, which range from detailed watercolours and linocuts to woodcuts and minimalist drawings, and can also evolve into animations or digital applications.

Where the Wild Lines Are presents works from the end of the 19th century to the present day, bringing together books and illustrations for children from around the world that surprise and fascinate with their creative and sophisticated design. It explores landmark examples of children’s book design through four distinct lenses – colour, space, perspective and signs – taking a closer look at the ways artists use pop-ups, typography, primary colours and monotone, and giant and miniature perspectives, to engage the eye of young readers, enhance a text and address powerful emotions without words.

An interview with Martin Salisbury, leader of the world-renowned Children’s Book Illustration degree at the Cambridge School of Art, delves into the fusion and intersection of art and literature, and Morag Styles contributes an essay on the psychology of how children respond to picture books.