Alex Brychta and Oxford Reading Tree

[Artforall]

Why is Roderick Hunt an MBE and not the illustrator Alex Brychta? They have collaborated for 25 years on the ORT Biff, Chip and Kipper series and and although I'm not a huge fan of the awards system, I don't know why only one half of the team was recognised in this way when they both received an outstanding Achievement Award last year for services to Education. My son started reading these books last year and although the early stages are not scintillating, as they are dealing with very basic vocabulary, they gradually become fun adventures whose illustrations not only complement the stories but also work as stand alone images. They are full of hilarious visual gags and immensely clever detail that includes a shotgun hiding next to Gran's bed, a pizza-eating Roman Emperor, the Royal family getting their heads mixed up at Madame Tussaud's and Gran showing her family snaps to Queen Victoria to name a few. I have no connection to Alex Brychta but as an illustrator am deeply impressed with his continued ingenuity and accomplished drawings. It seems fitting to honour one of our most prolific illustrators who continues to inspire great numbers of children with a love of reading.

Did he turn down the award? Does anyone know?

[lovecheese]

I agree, a traversty (Sp?), love his illustrations; particularly like the fact that he puts a self-portrait into the books, and what is particularly funny is that this character looks like one of the dads at my DCs school!

[jellycat]

Oooh, which one is him? The nosy neighbour? The school caretaker?

I love his illustrations too. The facial expressions are perfect IMO and they make us all laugh.

[lovecheese]

The school caretaker jellycat. Honestly, it's spooky.

[MollieO]

His illustrations make those wretched books bearable.

[MaudOHara]

Agree - we always liked looking for the hidden amusing stuff

[wildmutt]

Is it me or are there some very creepy looking males in these books - neighbour, caretaker, mechanic, farmer? There always seems to be at least one dodgy looking perv. I've not seen a photo of the illustrator but do hope he doesn't look like those ones!

[ChippyMinton]

One of the factual ORT books is actually about Alex Brychta - I never gave the illustrations much thought until one of the DC brought that book home.

Agree they are good.

[Unprune]

DS is really enjoying them. I give Alex Brychta many, many Brownie points for getting a tower of blocks in one of the first books to spell 'HEPATITIS'

[Lydwatt]

LOL! I missed that! I'm going to look more closely now.... [hsmile]

[Simbacat]

Have you seen the one (red) with the busty blonde on the boat and the two bearded men hand in hand.

That led to a 2 hour discussion about what it meant to be gay when my daughter was 5. Her first words at school were that sometimes men can love each other but they can't have babies and that was very sad.

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

Don't forget to look for the abandoned specs

[androbbob]

These books sound like Wally books!

We did / do ORT at school and I loved the earlier ones - loads to look at apart from the words!

Now on Stage 12 ones and I miss Biff and Chip and Kipper - only 1 more yeat before DS starts them - unless school have changed way teach reading!!