Rod Campbell
Rod Campbell (born May 4, 1945) is a Scottish writer and illustrator of several popular children’s books including the classic lift-the-flap board book DEAR ZOO, which has sold over 2 million copies worldwide and celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2012.
Born in Scotland in 1945, he was brought up in Zimbabwe and returned to Britain where he completed a doctorate in organic chemistry.
In 1980 he became involved in children’s publishing where he began designing innovative books with interactive elements and repetitive phrases.
In 1987 he founded Campbell Blackie Books in partnership with his publisher Blackie.
Campbell Books (as it became in 1989) was sold in 1995 to Macmillan Publishers.
Rod Campbell’s approach to books for babies and toddlers is instinctive, with simplicity being paramount.
He sees himself as a ‘maker’ of books rather than as an author or illustrator.
He uses flaps or pop-ups in a book only when he feels they give an extra dimension to a simple story or when they will serve to enhance the ‘reality’ of certain images.
For the youngest he believes that a degree of physical involvement is crucial in drawing the child into books, and maintaining their interest.
He uses simple texts with often a repeating element, or even rhymes, as he regards these to be important for the pre-reader.
He believes that however simple a story, it should always end either on an upbeat note or quietly resolved to everyone’s satisfaction!
Find out more about Rod Campbell on Wikipedia.
Rod’s Books Reviewed
Have you read any of these books?
Please leave a comment below so we can share the most popular ones with everyone.
Rod’s Other Books Are Available at links below.
