As you can see from David Dean’s sketchbook pages on the wall, illustrators often make several drafts of their ideas in pencil before they create their finished artwork. Why do you think they do this?

Use this space to draft a cover of your favourite book. When you’re happy with it, why not create a finished artwork?

Don’t forget to think about the back of the book and the spine as well as well as the front cover.

How will your book look on the shelf? Have you left enough room for the blurb and any other information the reader will need?

Draft a cover

ExploreMichael MorpurgoA lifetime in stories

in your pairsor groups

Illustrations © David Dean

Find illustrations by these artists and think of a few words to describe the style of each:

Shoo Rayner

Olivia Lomenech Gill

Michael Foreman

Christian Birmingham

Quentin Blake

Gary Blythe

Here are some words to start you off:

realisticcolourfulcartoonserious

Find the exhibit about the illustrator David Dean.

David Dean was commissioned by the publisher Egmont UK to create 20 new covers for reprints of some of Michael Morpurgo’s most popular stories.

His instructions were to use bright colours, dramatic perspectives and exciting angles.

Look at the examples of the book covers on the wall. Think and talk about these questions:

Do you think David Dean has followed the instructions he was given?

Why might Egmont UK have wanted this sort of cover art?

What effect do the covers have? What do you think the stories inside these covers would be like?

Do they make you want to pick up the books and read?

A book’s illustrations aren’t just add-ons to the author’s words, they also interpret the work.

Find an illustration that you like. Talk about:

Why you like the illustration.

What makes this artist’s work stand out?

Does this picture make you want to read the book? Why?

Michael MorpurgoA Lifetime in Stories

Self-led visits with KS2 Art & Design groups

Curriculum linksArt & Design: Pupils should have the opportunity to think critically about art and design, explain their ideas, record experiences and produce creative work.

Michael Morpurgo’s books have been illustrated by a wide range of artists over the years. A Lifetime in Stories gives you the opportunity to investigate the different styles and techniques they use to bring his words to life.

This resource is designed to help your students explore the variety of artists who have collaborated with Michael Morpurgo; to think about how their work enhances his stories they are illustrating, and to respond to an illustrator’s brief.

Students should be encouraged to work in pairs or small groups, discussing their ideas and sharing discoveries.

Illustration © David Dean

if adults have cameras, why not ask them to record student discussions and share them back at school?

Did more than one group choose the same illustra-tion? Did they choose them for the same reasons?