Sign In | My Account | My Books

Roy Gerrard

Author,Illustrator

(1935 - 1997)

Roy Gerrard

Roy Gerrard was an author and illustrator who charmed children with his bouncy rhymes and thumb-shaped characters acting out their adventures -- and misadventures -- in sumptuous period settings.

He was born in Atherton, Lancashire, and left school at 13 to train at Salford School of Art, intending to make a living as an abstract oil painter. Instead, he became an art teacher and department head.

His watercolors filled more and more of his time until he gave up teaching in 1979 to devote himself to painting full-time, which soon led to a new life as an illustrator and versifier. Victor Gollancz began to publish his work in England in 1982, and Farrar, Straus promptly followed suit with The Favershams, a fondly satirical tableau of upper-class Victorians.

His books were translated into virtually all European languages, and his art was exhibited regularly on both sides of the Atlantic. Three of his titles were chosen as best illustrated books of the year by The New York Times Book Review: The Favershams (1983), Sir Cedric (1984) and Sir Francis Drake (1988).

Mr. Gerrard published a dozen picture books, easily identifiable by his trademark, small, intricate watercolors that he himself defined as “remorselessly whimsical.” The characters were all roly-poly and flattened on top, drawn with minimalist attention to detail. The accompanying texts came in a suitably droll, jaunty verse style tinged with satire and representing, again by his own description, “deathless doggerel.”

His intended audience were grade school children and kindergarteners, even children of preschool age. A schoolteacher, Mr. Gerrard had turned to drawing and painting in 1972 after a rock-climbing accident left him immobilized for months.

We have not yet found a reliable photograph of this person. Do you have any information you could share with us? If so, please contact us.



Bibliography

Beside the Sea: An Edwardian Summer (1989)

Matilda Jane enjoys a seaside holiday during the reign of King Edward the seventh.

Author(s): Jean Gerrard
Illustrator(s): Roy Gerrard

Details »

Croco’nile (1994)

Hamut and Nekatu escape from slave traders in ancient Egypt with the aid of their pet crocodile.

Read online at archive.org. 

Author(s): Roy Gerrard
Illustrator(s): Roy Gerrard

Details »

The Favershams (1982)

A pictorial album illustrating the life of a Victorian family.

Author(s): Roy Gerrard
Illustrator(s): Roy Gerrard

Details »

Jocasta Carr: Movie Star (1992)

Jocasta Carr sets out in her seaplane to rescue her dog Belle who has been stolen by an unscrupulous film producer.

Author(s): Roy Gerrard
Illustrator(s): Roy Gerrard

Details »

Matilda Jane (1981)

Matilda Jane enjoys a holiday by the sea during the reign of king Edward the seventh.

Read online at archive.org

Author(s): Jean Gerrard
Illustrator(s): Roy Gerrard

Details »

Mik’s Mammoth (1990)

Abandoned by his tribe, Mik rescues and tames a baby mammoth and is soon elected to lead the tribe.

Read online at archive.org.

Author(s): Roy Gerrard
Illustrator(s): Roy Gerrard

Details »

A Pocket Full of Posies (1991)

A collection of favorite nursery rhymes.

Author(s): Roy Gerrard
Illustrator(s): Roy Gerrard

Details »

The Roman Twins (1998)

A pair of Roman twins escape from slavery with their master’s horse Polydox and go on to rescue Rome from the Ostrogoths.

Read online at archive.org

Author(s): Roy Gerrard
Illustrator(s): Roy Gerrard

Details »

Rosie and the Rustlers (1989)

When Greasy Ben rustles Rosie’s cattle, the Cherokee turn out to help her get them back.

Read online at archive.org

Author(s): Roy Gerrard
Illustrator(s): Roy Gerrard

Details »

Sir Cedric (1984)

Sir Cedric sets out on a quest, rescues a fair princess and defeats a villainous knight.

Author(s): Roy Gerrard
Illustrator(s): Roy Gerrard

Details »

Sir Cedric Rides Again (1986)

Sir Cedric takes his family on pilgrimage to Jerusalem and misplaces his daughter Edwina the Fair.

Author(s): Roy Gerrard
Illustrator(s): Roy Gerrard

Details »

Sir Francis Drake: His Daring Deeds (1988)

From cabin boy to admiral of the English navy, Sir Francis Drake was a bold adventurer.

Read online at archive.org. 

Author(s): Roy Gerrard
Illustrator(s): Roy Gerrard

Details »

Wagons West! (1996)

Pioneers head west to the Oregon territory by wagon train.

Read online at archive.org. 

Author(s): Roy Gerrard
Illustrator(s): Roy Gerrard

Details »