Firth, Barbara
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BIOGRAPHY
Original picture book artwork by Barbara Firth is available for purchase from Images of Delight.
The multi award-winning illustrator of the classic Little Bear series.
"I have been very lucky, as my career in drawing is also my favourite hobby," says illustrator Barbara Firth. And it's a hobby that has interested her for as long as she can remember. When she was three, she began drawing plants and animals, and when she was eleven years old, her family moved to the country, enabling her to spend even more time sketching the flora and fauna around her.
After leaving school she studied pattern cutting at the London College of Fashion. She was offered a job in the Marks and Spencer design department, but turned it down in favour of a job on Vogue knitting books, producing step-by-step illustrations of knitting, crocheting and dressmaking. It was with Walker Books, however, that Barbara was able to do illustration work in her favourite field - natural history - and has gone on to illustrate many award-winning books. She now lives in Harrow, England.
"I have always been biased toward illustrating natural history, so it was a joy to be able to draw pages and pages of bears," Barbara Firth says of her collaboration with Martin Waddell on Can't You Sleep, Little Bear?, the first of their classic Big and Little Bear series. As part of her research, she spent hours at a zoo, carefully watching and recording the movements and habits of bears.
Barbara Firth won the Kate Greenaway Medal and Smarties Book Prize for Can’t You Sleep, Little Bear? The Little Bear series has sold over seven million copies worldwide.
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ILLUSTRATIONS
Please click on image to enlarge and view details of size, price etc.
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|  | Tom Rabbit, written by Martin Waddell and first published 2001 by Walker Books Ltd. |
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Barbara Firth | 
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|  | The Park in the Dark, written by Martin Waddell and first published 1989 by Walker Books Ltd. |
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|  | The Little Bear Stories. A collection of the Little Bear books published in 2005 by Walker Books Ltd. |
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Barbara Firth |
|  | Sleep Tight, Little Bear, written by Martin Waddell and first published in 2005 by Walker Books Ltd.
"A child's first faltering steps towards independence are poignantly captured. Big Bear and Little Bear have provided a delightful take on some of the critical moments of childhood.The Guardian |
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Barbara Firth | 
Barbara Firth |
|  | We Love Them, written by Martin Waddell and first published in 1990 by Walker Books Ltd.
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Barbara Firth |
|  | You and Me, Little Bear, written by Martin Waddell and first published in 1996 by Walker Books Ltd. The third in the Little Bear series of books so beautifully illustrated by Barbara Firth.
The pictures are quite large, so the detail can't be seen until you double click on the image! |
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|  | Can't You Sleep, Little Bear, written by Martin Waddell and first published 1988 by Walker Books Ltd. Barbara won the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal and the Smarties Book Prize for this book, the first in the best selling Little Bear series of books. |
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Barbara Firth |
|  | The Walker Book of Bear Stories, first published 1995 by Walker Books Ltd and containing work by many authors and illustrators.
Cover artwork by Barbara Firth |
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Barbara Firth |
|  | The Walker Treasury of Bear Stories, various authors and illustrators and first published 2002 by Walker Books Ltd.
Cover artwork by Barbara Firth. |
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Barbara Firth |
|  | Well Done, Little Bear, written by Martin Waddell and first published in 1999 by Walker Books Ltd.
Out in the woods, Little Bear is showing off: climbing on rocks, hopping on stones, bouncing on branches, until...splash! Luckily, Big Bear is always there for him, to help if he's needed.
Over 7 million copies of the Little Bear books have been sold worldwide. |
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Barbara Firth | 
Barbara Firth |
|  | Let's Go Home, Little Bear, written by Martin Waddell and first published 1991 by Walker Books Ltd.
Walking back through the woods, Little Bear thinks he hears a noise. Suddenly there are scary Plodders and Drippers and Ploppers everywhere, and home seems a very long way away. Luckily, Big Bear is there to comfort Little Bear and get them safely back to the Bear Cave.
Over 7 million Little Bear books have been sold worldwide. |
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
You can now easily buy or find out more about some of Barbara's books by clicking on those that are highlighted. You will be taken directly to the publisher's website but can return quickly by clicking on "Back" All books published by Walker Books Ltd Bee Frog, written by Martin Waddell, first published 2007 Sleep Tight, Little Bear, written by Martin Waddell, first published 2005 Little Bear's Baby Book, first published 2000 Well Done, Little Bear, written by Martin Waddell, first published 1999 You and Me, Little Bear, written by Martin Waddell, first published 1996 Let's Go Home, Little Bear, written by Martin Waddell, first published 1991 Can't You Sleep, Little Bear?i], written by Martin Waddell, first published 1988
Sam Vole and his Brothers , written by Martin Waddell
The Park in the Dark , written by Martin Waddell
Hi Harry!i], written by Martin Waddell
Tom Rabbit , written by Martin Waddell
The Grumpalump , written by Sarah Hayes
Little Bear Stories , written by Martin Waddell
Bears in the Forest , written by Karen Wallace
Love and Kisses, anthology
Time for a Story , anthology
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 300mm x 655mm. Watercolour and pencil, signed, £1,495'))
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. Preliminary artwork from <i>Well Done, Little Bear</i>. <br>First published 1999 by Walker Books Ltd. 170mm x 130mm. <br>Watercolour and pencil, signed and mounted £275'))
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