Jan Pieńkowski
Winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal for illustration (twice), Jan Pieńkowski is best known for Haunted House, his pop-ups and the Meg and Mog series, created with Helen Nicoll. His other work includes wonderfully evocative silhouette books such as Christmas and Easter, in the incomparable King James version. For the very young, he has written and illustrated the Nursery Books in bold and brilliant colours.
Authored Books
The First Noel: A Christmas Pop-Up
Author: Jan Pienkowski
Publisher: Walker Books
From the moment that Mary conceives Jesus to his birth in a humble stable, the Nativity is depicted simply and with great beauty in this five double-page spread pop-up book. A delightful gift book.
Numbers
Author: Jan Pieńkowski; lettering by Caroline Austin
Publisher: Walker Books
This bright and original counting book for toddlers is full of Pieńkowski’s trademark bright, thick-outlined illustration.
Dinner Time
Author: Jan Pieńkowski; text by Anne Carter; paper engineering by Marcin Stajewski and James Roger Diaz
Publisher: Orchard Books
This pop-up classic from Pienkowski’s 80s heyday showcases his accessible snappy-jaws paper crafting, at a time when not many other artists or publishers had really embraced the genre. Full of humour and anarchic dynamism, it's a treat to read to little ones.
Good Night: A Pop-Up Lullaby
Author: Jan Pieńkowski; paper engineering by Helen Balmer and Martin Taylor
Publisher: Walker Books
This joyously varied big hardback pop-up picture book uses rhyme to weave a raft of unusual animals into the bedtime routine, reminding us that maybe snuggling down will actually be quite fun.
Yes No
Author: Jan Pieńkowski; lettering by Caroline Austin
Publisher: Walker Books
Yes/no, light/heavy, in/out, alive/dead: Jan Pieńkowski explores all manner of opposites in this bright and original book for toddlers, full of his trademark bright, thick-outlined illustration.
M.O.L.E: Much Overworked Little Earthmover
Author: Russell Hoban and Jan Pieńkowski
Publisher: Red Fox
Mole’s tale of our world from the Christian creation myth to modern times is an unusual but thought-provoking combination of cute animal narration with biblical references and environmental undertones.
I'm Cat
Author: Jan Pieńkowski
Publisher: Walker Books
The autumnal colours in this clever yet simple board book (shaped like a cat’s head, with ears) are full of warmth, making this a perfect book to share with babies.
Haunted House
Author: Jan Pieńkowski
Publisher: Walker Books
Enjoy a tour of this spooky old house where a spine-tingling surprise lurks in every dark corner.
Faces
Author: Jan Pieńkowski; lettering by Caroline Austin
Publisher: Walker Books
Happy, sad, angry, shy: Jan Pieńkowski explores all manner of facial expressions and emotions in this bright and original book for toddlers, full of his trademark bright, thick-outlined illustration.
In The Beginning: Best Loved Bible Stories
Author: Jan Pienkowski
Publisher: Walker Books
In this collection of Old Testament stories, Pienkowski uses the original text but illustrates the stories with his inimitable psychedelic punk art style, highlighting the drama and magic of these old tales.