Axel Scheffler (b. 1957)

Axel Scheffler was born in Hamburg. He studied Visual Communications at Bath Academy of Art in Corsham, Wiltshire, a course which included an exchange to Cooper Union in New York.

He is best known for his partnership with Julia Donaldson on many well-loved picture books, including Zog, Room on the Broom and especially The Gruffalo which has been adapted for the stage and film, sold more than 17 million copies worldwide and been translated into over 100 languages.

Axel has written and illustrated a number of his own titles including Stickman, which was turned in to a West End production and Highway Rat. Axel is photographed here signing books at Illustrationcupboard Gallery, London in 2013.