The Life and Works of Alfred Bestall: - llustrator of Rupert Bear

The result of many years careful and painstaking research, the author has pieced together the life of her godfather Alfred Bestall, who illustrated Rupert Bear in the "Daily Express" almost uninterruptedly for 30 years. The artwork was bequeathed by Fred Bestall to the author with the words - 'you will probably want to make a bonfire of this' - which would have been a tragedy. Caroline Bott has lovingly collected together and catalogued Fred Bestall's work, which ranges from incisive cartoons for 'Punch' to romantic, dreamy watercolours, as well of course as his Rupert Bear illustrations. Caroline was also bequeathed his diaries, from which, alongside letters, photographs and other archive material, she has drawn together his life. What emerges is a gentle, very generous man, who was loved by all who met him. His diaries include his experiences in the First World War, and his travel diaries include remarkable journeys to Egypt as well as those of his beloved Wales. His fans are as diverse as Sir Paul McCartney (who has written the foreword), Prince Charles, Terry Jones, Terence Stamp, Richard Rogers and Sir Hugh Casson. This is a piece of pure nostalgia and a slice of time gone by that will enchant all those who pick it up.

Caroline Bott is Fred Bestall's god-daughter. She has spent many years researching the life of Fred Bestall, and this is her first book for Bloomsbury. She lives with her husband in Milford, Surrey, where they have a permanent exhibition of Fred Bestall's artwork (by telephone appointment only).