Books with author John Burningham

Edwardo is an ordinary boy, so sometimes he can be a bit grubby or clumsy, a bit cruel or noisy or rude. The more that he is criticised, the worse he becomes, until one day they call him 'The Horriblest Boy in the Whole Wide World'. Just then, Edwardo's luck begins to change, and a series of chance events reveal that really he is a lovely boy, and has been all along.

A Nigerian folktale — one of the first picture books John Burningham ever illustrated — comes to life again with a text by the venerable illustrator.Hare, Hippopotamus, and Elephant all live together in the forest. But often, when Hippopotamus and Elephant have nothing better to do, they tease Hare and say horrid things to him. When Hare finally gets fed up with them, he conceives a plan: he will challenge each of the massive creatures to a tug-of-war competition. On either side of the trees, Elephant and Hippopotamus pull and tug all through the night, incredulous that Hare could be so strong! With cheeky wit and his signature illustrative style, John Burningham makes the case that even brute strength can be outweighed by brains — and a quick getaway.

The Bobbs-Merrill Company Hardcover - Weekly Reader, copyright 1966. Size:8.2" x10 1/2". "Simp was what most people would call an ugly little dog. She was fat and small, and had only a stump for a tail. Her owner found homes for her brothers and sisters but could not persuage anybody to take Simp. One evening he took Simp outside of town and just dropped her near a trash dump." Follow Simp feeling alone and hungry and finally ending up in the circus.

A long day is drawing to a close, and several creatures are ready for sleep. A cat with a stroller full of kittens needs a place to rest, as does the baby who’s been sailing a boat on the sea. The man in the moon is exhausted, and three tired bears make their weary way up a flight of stairs. Soon, though, each has found a place for the night where they can sleep and wake up ready for a new day. Featuring a simple story and the repeated refrain “Hushabye hush hush,” John Burningham’s latest is the perfect lullabye to soothe even the most restless little one.

When Georgie outgrows his baby bed, he chooses a big second-hand bed that the thrift shop owner tells him is magic. “The lady who had it before said you could travel in it.” Georgie’s granny teases him about his magic bed. But every night, Georgie has a new adventure with tigers or gnomes or pirates in faraway places. Some nights he would swim with dolphins, which is why his bed is sometimes wet in the morning. And when his granny replaces the old relic with a spanking-new bed, Georgie has his revenge.John Burningham’s playful handling of a child’s imagination and the special relationship a child has with his or her bed makes this a good-night story that children will beg to hear again and again.

Once upon a time there were two geese called Mr. and Mrs. Plumpster. Each spring they returned to the marshes of their ancestors, and Mrs. Plumpster layed her eggs. Soon six fine young Plumpsters hatched, but Borka was different—she had no feathers and could not fly. When winter came the other geese flew off in search of warmer climates, leaving Borka all alone. But her adventure was only just beginning.

Steven is sent out for groceries on to the mean street of the city with only a shopping basket for protection. There are several shady characters about who are offering to lighten the load of the basket by helping themselves to his provisions! Stephen's having none of it and with the help of some of the city's less attractive sights he outsmarts all of them and makes it home in time for tea. With the pictures telling as much of the story as the text, children and adults alike will appreciate the humour and observations from this well known children's author.