He believes that the two should be prized in equal measure and any failure to promote art could lead to a shortage of talented artists in later years. He has called for a day to be set aside each year for children to indulge their artistic side.

One exercise he wants to see brought in is one he played as a child, known as “the shape game”. Each child starts by drawing a shape then passing it on to the next to develop it as an illustration or drawing.

 ”Nobody’s ever talked about it but it’s a simple game which I believe is the essence of creativity. I’ve got nothing against reading but the two (reading and drawing) should go side by side.

Mr Browne, who is only the second illustrator to hold the Children’s Laureate post since Quentin Blake, pointed to Leonardo da Vinci’s habit of picking out battles, people and landscapes on an old wall as a sign that it boosts creativity. “You can say to a youngster ‘If you play the shape game, you can become an artist or a writer’,” he added.

Adapted from a Daily Telegraph Article, 5th August 2009

To buy The Usborne Complete Book of Drawing, click here

Photo Courtesy of Jean-Sien Kin

UNDER-FIVES

• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson: Julia creates magic with every picture book she writes, but The Gruffalo in particular stands out as one of the best loved picture books ever written.
• Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers: This is a beautifully illustrated and very touching tale of friendship. Last Christmas’s animation has ensured that it will, like The Snowman, be enjoyed by generations to come.
• Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae: A fantastically funny and wonderfully colourful romp of a picture book. All toddlers should grow up reading this or hearing their parents read it aloud to them.

FIVE TO EIGHT-YEAR-OLDS

• Clarice Bean by Lauren Child: Many a child will grow up with Lauren, and not only her wonderful Charlie and Lola picture books. Clarice Bean, for slightly older children, is a classic to rival Milly Molly Mandy.
• Horrid Henry series by Francesca Simon: Hugely popular, anarchically funny and set to be loved by many future generations – even if Henry is every parent’s nightmare.
• My Brother’s Favourite Bottom by Jeremy Strong: The daft, unpredictable antics of a wacky family make this a chaotic and hilarious read with a timeless humour.

NINE TO TWELVE-YEAR-OLDS

• War Horse/Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo: All of the Laureates will contribute to the classics of the future but Morpurgo’s incredibly moving stories of war stand among the very best.
• Inkheart by Cornelia Funke: Funke has captured the magic of reading perfectly in this captivating tale that brings children’s books to vivid life. A world every child wishes they could fall into.
• Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer: Colfer gets the mix of action, suspense and humour just right in this very cool read with a vivid and unique story that will continue to enthral new readers.

Chosen by Sarah Clarke, Waterstone’s children’s buying manager. The Daily Telegraph 29th April 2009 

Photos courtesy of 427 & Christchurch City Libraries

Click on the link to buy The Gruffalo in the Canny Minds shop

The War Horse

The Gruffalo