National Bookstart Week: See the gorgeous illustrations that Explore Outdoors

Published on: 08 June 2017 Author: Catriona Wightman

National Bookstart Week might nearly be over, but these illustrations are definitely going to stand the test of time.

We've had so much fun celebrating National Bookstart Week over the past few days with events across the country and, of course, our online storybook - Ellie Sandall's Everybunny Dance!, narrated by Lauren Laverne.

And it seems like we're not the only ones who have felt inspired by the event's theme Let's Explore Outdoors, because when we asked illustrators on social media to send us their best National Bookstart Week drawings, they did not disappoint.

We suggested that they think about the idea of exploring outdoors, reading al fresco and including a bear - for the magnificent and well-travelled Bookstart Bear, of course - and the artists really delivered some jaw-dropping pictures.

We've gathered together the entries, so take a look at our gallery below and marvel at just how beautiful they are...

National Bookstart Week 2017 illustrations

We love the caption on @aliscribble's National Bookstart Week illustration - wise words!

@artofmorgan captioned this image "The great outdoors with friends"... which we think sums things up rather nicely!

Proof, from @bjchristou, that books really do bring people (and animals) together.

We couldn't help but giggle about the bear's reading material in this super stylish image from @cartoonsidrew.

This hilarious image from @CFcomiX definitely made a few stomachs rumble in the BookTrust office...

We can't help but feel cosy looking at @codibearscave's image - and really, what could be better than a picnic and a trip to the bookshop?

If you go down to the woods today... you'll find a bear fishing! Thanks to @gabriele_tafuni for this sweet image.

We really like how much the bear in @hr_illustration's picture is captivated by this story (we want to know what's happening!)

We think @IllustrateLucy has perfectly captured National Bookstart Week's theme of 'Let's Explore Outdoors' here!

Here's a very different - but absolutely stunning - take on National Bookstart Week's 'Let's Explore Outdoors' theme, courtesy of @j_prevatt.

We completely fell for @janenewland's gorgeous illustration, which made us want to head for a woodland walk immediately.

These colourful characters from @julianamotzko have certainly brightened our day.

We've all had people reading over our shoulder... animals, though? Thanks to @juliasealbooks for this fun picture!

Thanks to @markAchambers, who put more of a wintry spin on National Bookstart Week's 'Let's Explore Outdoors' theme. Brr!

We're all fans of Quentin Blake here at BookTrust - but we didn't realise bears are too! Thanks to @r1k1n for his take on National Bookstart Week.

National Bookstart Week is all about the wonder of sharing books together, so @racheblackwell's illustration is absolutely perfect.

We can't wait to plonk ourselves down by a tree for a good read like this bear - @readitdaddy has definitely inspired us.

There's so much going on in this illustration by @sofiagcardosoo that we feel like we could look at it for hours!

This super stylish image from @stevesketchesit has made us want to go camping (and not even just for toasted marshmallows).

National Bookstart Week is all about sharing books - so @suzannebarton0's owls are definitely getting right into the spirit of it all!

We love the caption on @aliscribble's National Bookstart Week illustration - wise words!

Image 1 of 20

@artofmorgan captioned this image "The great outdoors with friends"... which we think sums things up rather nicely!

Image 2 of 20

Proof, from @bjchristou, that books really do bring people (and animals) together.

Image 3 of 20

We couldn't help but giggle about the bear's reading material in this super stylish image from @cartoonsidrew.

Image 4 of 20

This hilarious image from @CFcomiX definitely made a few stomachs rumble in the BookTrust office...

Image 5 of 20

We can't help but feel cosy looking at @codibearscave's image - and really, what could be better than a picnic and a trip to the bookshop?

Image 6 of 20

If you go down to the woods today... you'll find a bear fishing! Thanks to @gabriele_tafuni for this sweet image.

Image 7 of 20

We really like how much the bear in @hr_illustration's picture is captivated by this story (we want to know what's happening!)

Image 8 of 20

We think @IllustrateLucy has perfectly captured National Bookstart Week's theme of 'Let's Explore Outdoors' here!

Image 9 of 20

Here's a very different - but absolutely stunning - take on National Bookstart Week's 'Let's Explore Outdoors' theme, courtesy of @j_prevatt.

Image 10 of 20

We completely fell for @janenewland's gorgeous illustration, which made us want to head for a woodland walk immediately.

Image 11 of 20

These colourful characters from @julianamotzko have certainly brightened our day.

Image 12 of 20

We've all had people reading over our shoulder... animals, though? Thanks to @juliasealbooks for this fun picture!

Image 13 of 20

Thanks to @markAchambers, who put more of a wintry spin on National Bookstart Week's 'Let's Explore Outdoors' theme. Brr!

Image 14 of 20

We're all fans of Quentin Blake here at BookTrust - but we didn't realise bears are too! Thanks to @r1k1n for his take on National Bookstart Week.

Image 15 of 20

National Bookstart Week is all about the wonder of sharing books together, so @racheblackwell's illustration is absolutely perfect.

Image 16 of 20

We can't wait to plonk ourselves down by a tree for a good read like this bear - @readitdaddy has definitely inspired us.

Image 17 of 20

There's so much going on in this illustration by @sofiagcardosoo that we feel like we could look at it for hours!

Image 18 of 20

This super stylish image from @stevesketchesit has made us want to go camping (and not even just for toasted marshmallows).

Image 19 of 20

National Bookstart Week is all about sharing books - so @suzannebarton0's owls are definitely getting right into the spirit of it all!

Image 20 of 20

With thanks to all the brilliant illustrators on Twitter who took part in our National Bookstart Week challenge.

Topics: 0-1 year, 2-3 years, 4-5 years, Bookstart, National Bookstart Week, Early Years professional, Librarian, Parent/carer, Teacher (primary), Writer, Early Years, KS1, Primary, Features, Gallery