Step into the illustrated worlds of Helen Oxenbury, one of the world’s most popular and acclaimed children’s book illustrators.
Down the rabbit hole and through swishy swashy grass, this joyful exhibition will take you on an adventure through more than 100 original illustrations from Oxenbury’s fifty-year career.
Explore artwork from classic picture books including We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, Farmer Duck, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes. You’ll also see illustrations from Oh Dear, Look What I Got!, Oxenbury’s brand-new 2025 collaboration with Bear Hunt author Michael Rosen.
See early pencil sketches, tiny bookmark-sized landscapes, full-page watercolours and rarely seen unpublished artwork – including an early version of Bear Hunt where the familiar family of explorers looks completely different.
At the heart of the gallery, you’ll find a new sensory play space created by textile artist Ruth Waller, inspired by Oxenbury’s illustrations. Filled with soft storytelling props, fluffy clouds and swishy grass, it’s a welcoming place for babies, toddlers and grown-ups to crawl, read, relax and play together.
The exhibition continues next door in our museum, where you will find 10 of Oxenbury’s original sketches from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland hidden amongst the historic art and glittering gems. Pick up a trail sheet for free at reception and see if you can spot the sketch!
This exhibition has been organised in association with Selina Skipwith, an independent art advisor and curator.
