The Extraordinary Adventures of Mr Benn

Product Information

McKee's original artwork brings the glories of a golden age of children's book illustration and story-telling to a new generation. This book is in good condition - bumping to corners of boards; some spotting, particularly on ffep and rfep. David McKee’s early work on the power of colour to transform life is perfect for all those who now love Elmer the patchwork elephant.

The series was voted the sixth most popular children's television programme in the 2001 Channel 4 poll 100 Greatest Kids' TV shows.I particularly loved the way in which he shifts between his trademark, intricately detailed black ink drawings to a big colour splash page, often using large blocks of white space for extra emphasis and occasionally dropping in some bizarre 360 degree layouts as the cherry on top.

square and for ages three and up, in textured covered softbacks from the wonderful children's publisher Andersen Press, each title has 48 pages.

Children will be drawn into the enchanting stories, whilst the adults reading the stories will fondly remember when they used to watch it on TV. It is a much larger book than I expected, with huge pictures which look exactly the same as the TV series, only with some words too. But when I spotted a batch of Mr Benn books in one of the newly arrived deliveries, I had no choice but to sit down with a nice cuppa.

Benn was published in 1970 ( ISBN 0-234-77361-8) and tells the story of Mr Benn as a convict (hence the number) inspiring his jail-mates to brighten up their cells. Voted third in a BBC poll of 25-45 year olds of All-Time Favourite Children's Shows, the very name Mr Benn is enough to induce a warm glow of childish bliss. When he tries on a costume and steps through a secret door, he finds himself transported to a new and exciting world.On leaving college he drew regularly for Punch, Reader’s Digest, and The Times Educational Supplement. Eventually, out of thin air, a magician (who looks familiar) appears and makes objects disappear, concluding with Mr Benn who arrives back in the changing room.