R. W. Alley
Robert Whitlock Alley, (born December 30th, 1955) is an American writer and illustrator of children’s books. He is best known for illustrating the children’s literature series Paddington Bear.
Early life and education[edit]
Alley was born on December 30th, 1955 in Lexington, Virginia[1] to Helene Whitlock and Dr. Reuben Alley, Jr. He grew up in Annapolis, Maryland[2] where his father was a civilian professor of electrical engineering at the United States Naval Academy.[3][4][4]
Alley studied Art History at Haverford College[4] and graduated in 1979.[5]
Career[edit]
He spent his early career illustrating greeting cards for multiple companies, including Hallmark Cards.[6]
He published his first book, The Ghost in Dobbs Diner, in 1981.[7][6]
He met author Michael Bond in 1997[1] and after an audition[4] began illustrating the Paddington Bear book series.[8][9] He illustrated Bond's final book, Paddington at Saint Paul's, in 2018,[10] and has illustrated more than 20 books in the series as of 2024.[8][11] He is the longest-serving Paddington Bear illustrator.[9]
In 2016, he appeared on the baking competition show Cake Wars, in the Season 4 episode, “Paddington.”
Personal Life[edit]
Alley lives in Barrington, RI with his wife, Zoe.[12] They have two children.[13]
Work[edit]
- Paddington Bear Series, by Michael Bond (1997-Present)
- Breezy Valley Series (2023-Present)
- Firefighters to the Rescue! (2023)[2]
- Four Siblings' Seasons Series (2016)[14]
- Clark in the Deep Sea
- Gretchen Over the Beach
- Mitchell on the Moon
- Annabelle at the South Pole
- Fairy Tale Graphic Novel Series, by Zoe B. Alley[15]
- There's a Wolf at the Door (2008, Washington Post Kids Book of the Year)[16]
- There's a Princess in the Palace (2010)
Other notable work[edit]
- The Ghost in Dobbs Diner (1981)
- We’re Off to Find the Witch’s House by Mr. Krieb (2007, New York Times Bestseller[17])
- Pearl and Wagner series by Kate McMullan
- Pearl and Wagner: One Funny Day (2009, Geisel Award Honor Book[18][5])
- Pearl and Wagner: Two Good Friends (2003)
- Pearl and Wagner: Three Secrets (2004)
- Pearl and Wagner: Four Eyes (2009)
- Pearl and Wagner: Five Days til Summer (2012)
- Enzo Races in the Rain, by Garth Stein, with Zoe B. Alley, based on The Art of Racing in the Rain (2014)[19]
- Saxby Smart series, by Simon Cheshire (2007-2008)
- Because Your... series, by Andrew Clements (2005-2015)
- Elf-Help Series, by various authors, originally printed by Saint Meinrad Archabbey (1987-Present)
References[edit]
- ^ a b Post, Michael Cavna The Washington. "Michael Bond, RIP: The secret to the appeal of his Paddington Bear". Portsmouth Herald. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
- ^ a b "Paddington Bear illustrator, former Annapolis resident, pens new children's book with nod to city fire department". Capital Gazette. 2023-09-18. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ "Obituary for REUBEN E. ALLEY JR". The Central New Jersey Home News. 2007-03-14. p. 17. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ a b c d Cavna, Michael (2021-10-28). "Analysis | PADDINGTON: How a Maryland-sprung artist inherited a royal line of work: Rendering the beloved Brit-immigrant bear". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
- ^ a b "Children's Book Illustrated by R. W. Alley '79 Honored with Dr. Seuss Award". www.haverford.edu. 2010-02-02. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ a b Fales, Melissa (December 2016). "Children's Illustrator R.W. Alley Brings Beloved Books to Life" (PDF). Story Monsters Ink Magazine: 20–23.
- ^ "R.W. Alley – R. MICHELSON GALLERIES". www.rmichelson.com. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ a b Jefferson, Robin Seaton. "Beloved Multi-Generational Character Celebrates 60 Years With First-Ever American Exhibition". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ a b Heritage, Stuart (2023-10-13). "Hard stares, tea with the Queen and so many marmalade sandwiches – 65 years of Paddington Bear". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
- ^ Flood, Alison (2017-11-09). "Paddington at St Paul's, last in classic children's series, due in 2018". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
- ^ Republican, Anne-Gerard Flynn | Special to The (2018-04-05). "Paddington Bear illustrator says 'he is real to me'". masslive. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
- ^ Dorsey, Kristina. "Children's book illustrator-author R.W. Alley and writer Zoë B. Alley come to Mystic". www.theday.com. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
- ^ "about". R. W. Alley Illustration. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ "R.W. Alley '79: Storyteller". www.haverford.edu. 2017-01-10. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ "Paddington comes to life with Zoë Alley and R. W. Alley". Dartmouth. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ "Best Kids Books Of the Year". Washington Post. 2024-02-02. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ "CHILDREN'S BEST SELLERS: PAPERBACK BOOKS: Sunday, November 4th 2007". query.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ "Geoffrey Hayes, wins Geisel Award for "Benny and Penny in the Big No-No!" | ALA". www.ala.org. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ LaRoche, Tony. "Barrington couple team up on children's book based on best-selling novel". The Providence Journal. Retrieved 2024-05-24.