Giles Andreae

Giles Andreae is a British author and illustrator best known for his work on the international award-winning books, Rumble in the Jungle and Giraffes Can't Dance. He has been writing and illustrating delightful stories for over 20 years now, and has created an astonishing catalogue of titles. From his success in the children’s book industry, Andreae has established himself as an essential contributor to the literary world.

Giles Andreae was born in London in 1966 and began writing at a young age. Growing up in a family of creatives, he was encouraged to embrace his prolific talents. Andreae was particularly inspired by his father, a well-known spy-story novelist and his mother, a sculptor. After college, Andreae attended the Central School of Arts and Crafts in London, where he specialised in illustration and photography.

Andreae has produced a vast array of books since 1998, when his first book The Boat Race was published. It was met with such high reviews that it even received a Gold Award from the D&AD;, one of the most prestigious design awards in the world. During this time, Andreae also wrote for publications such as Guardian, The Independent and The Daily Telegraph; further cementing his abilities as a creative writer and storyteller.

One of his most popular and well renowned titles, Rumble in the Jungle, was published in 1999. It became an international best-seller and was translated into 26 languages. Additionally, this book helped Andreae gain global recognition and won the United Kingdom Reading Association Award. Andreae’s success didn’t stop at Rumble in the Jungle, however, and this was only the beginning of his thriving portfolio.

In 2003, Andreae wrote yet another ground-breaking publication, Giraffes Can’t Dance. Most notable for its vibrant illustrations and captivating story-line, this delightful tale continued Andreae’s rise to success. In a remarkable turn of events, it also gained such notoriety that it was adapted into a musical and recently produced as an animated feature film.

Andreae is intimately acquainted with the challenges that come with writing children’s books, particularly when they should be accessible to all types of readers. He is a strong advocate of literature being expansive, creative and joyful; and has included diverse characters and progressive and positive messages in his work.

This is evident in one of his more recent titles which challenges the hegemonic view of masculinity, Proud and Mighty. He has also produced sensitive picture books such as God’s Worms, which serves to provide comfort to the bereaved; whilst depicting a comforting and undying love between a parent and child in a simple and unsentimental way.

The work of Giles Andreae constantly bridges the worlds of adults and children in order to make literature an inclusive resource. He believes that a really good children’s book should ultimately read like a poem and leave its readers with more than what was initially intended on the page. In doing so, this will help create a new generation of adults who are imaginative and alive with ideas. With a vast and unique catalogue of titles, Andreae has certainly achieved this and established himself as a leading contributor to children’s literature.