5 Artists you might recognise from Children’s Books
This summer science meets storytelling at The Museum of Somerset’s new exhibition: Wow! Amazing Science in Children’s Books
Explore the fascinating world of science through this family-friendly exhibition bursting with brilliant illustrations from children’s science books. It’s perfect for curious kids or grown-ups who still loves picture books (no shame!).
Journey through science-themes like the human body, the wonders of space, and machines, with beautiful illustrations turning learning into an adventure.
Here’s a sneak peek at five fabulous illustrators whose work you might spot!
1) Yuval Zommer
If your eye has ever been caught by the amazing colours of The Big Book of the Blue or Blooms, then you’ve met Yuval Zommer, an international, superstar illustrator. Yuval started out in the world of advertising, as a creative director, before becoming a children’s book author and illustrator. Yuval’s art is bursting with colour, texture, and details and it’s no wonder that his books have been translated into 30 languages and sold over 2 million copies. Interesting fact about Yuval: The Natural History Museum and the Zoo are a couple of his favourite places.
Look out for Yuval’s illustrations from these books in the exhibition:
The Big Book of Bugs
The Big Book of Blue
The Big Book of Blooms
The Street Beneath My Feet
2) Grahame Baker-Smith
Grahame Baker-Smith is a self-taught, award-winning illustrator who lives right here in Somerset. Grahame’s illustrations are mesmerising! He later began combining traditional art with digital artistry. Fun fact: he used to work on his art while holding his new-born daughter in one arm.
He won the prestigious Greenaway Medal for Farther, and his books often explore the wonders of our natural world, blending the beauty of nature with the magic of imagination – perfect for anyone who loves a beautiful book.
Find illustrations by Grahame from the following books inside the exhibition:
The Ever Changing Earth
The Rhythm of the Rain
Wild As The Wind
3) Viola Wang
Viola’s illustrations are bold, bright, and full of energy – just like the human body! Viola studied animation and illustration in London and has won the Sebastian Walker Award for her amazing work.
She grew up surrounded by printmaking which heavily inspired the vibrant artwork seen in today’s exhibition. Viola’s work is fun, lively and her illustrations for Dr Roopa’s Body Books turn learning into an adventure.
Find Viola’s illustrations from these titles in the exhibition:
Dr Roopa’s Body Books: The Brilliant Brain
Dr Roopa’s Body Books: The Super Skeleton
4) Colin King
Flaps, cutaways, and educational illustrations are just some of the tools in Colin King’s arsenal to help us understand how things work! Colin has been illustrating children’s books since 1976 and has worked with big names like Usborne, Macmillan, and the BBC. Colin’s specialty is making tricky topics like how your body works or how machines move feel easy and fun by using clever diagrams and fun drawings. Fun fact about Colin: He was taught by Quentin Blake at the Royal College of Art, London.
Look out for Colin’s illustrations from these books in the exhibition:
See Inside Your Body
See Inside How Things Work
5) Oliver Jeffers
Oliver Jeffers is the creative genius behind award-winning children’s books, including How to Catch a Star and Here We Are. He’s also the illustrator of the well-known The Day the Crayons Quit series. Oliver received an MBE for his amazing contributions to children’s books. His illustrative style combined with his distinctive handwriting makes Jeffers’ art instantly recognisable. His artwork is heartfelt, full of wonder, and helps us understand big ideas — like space, the universe, and what it means to be human — in a way that’s gentle, funny, and totally unforgettable.
Look for Oliver’s illustrations from the following books inside the exhibition:
Here We Are
Begin Again
Visit the Exhibtion
This summer discover brilliant inventors, peek inside the human body, and blast off into space through the exhibition Wow! Amazing Science in Children’s Books. Each week, join exciting activities like slime-making, bug encounters, robot dogs, and wacky science shows that will have curious minds laughing, learning, and asking ‘why?’ all day long.