Judith Kerr was one of the best-loved authors and illustrators to ever put pencil to paper. The books she created, including The Tiger Who Came to Tea, Mog the Forgetful Cat, When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit and many many more, have become classics of children’s literature, loved by generations of readers.

But what of the life behind the iconic characters? Judith’s own story is riveting, from her early childhood in Berlin, dramatically cut short by the family having to flee the rising Nazi Party, to her time at the BBC in the 1950s and her long and happy marriage to the celebrated screenwriter Nigel Kneale, creator of British television’s first major hit, The Quatermass Experiment.

The joy of this very special book is in hearing this story from Judith herself, accompanied by a treasure trove of illustrations and memorabilia. All combine to give an unforgettable insight into the creative process behind these beloved stories.

This book was published in 2013, but Judith continued to work up until her death in 2019. While she may have gone, her creatures live on. They are much-loved characters who spring to life from the pages of her books, but they are also those who have played a part in her inspirational life. They are to be found here, in a book to cherish and return to again and again.

In 2023 we celebrate 100 years since Judith’s birth and in this updated edition, her final working years have been wonderfully evoked in a new chapter written by Judith’s son, the author, Matthew Kneale.