Gordon Brown's official Christmas card drawn by Shirley Hughes

[WendyWeber]

It's lovely!

Oh it is so PC. It loooks like the illustration from some booklet on creche facilities at Lambeth council.

Axel Scheffler - now he is FAB

Axel Schleffer one here

We have always loved Shirley Hughes, I am really stunned that anyone could dislike her work

(Didja know TJ Hughes was her dad? Didja? custy?)

"...why are we concreting britain with crap homes?"

So all the people have somewhere to live? Agree that if the property developers had less power better quality homes could be built. As things stand desperate first time buyers and private tenants will take anything.

Maybe we are reverting to Dickensian conditions for those not lucky enought to have bought property before the boom. And maybe a Christmas card from no. 10 featuring diverse huddled urchins is appropriate.

I just find her a bit twee,that's all

Twee and so mediocre.

I knew that TJ Hughes was her dad .

DullWitch - agree with you about Lambeth creche facilities !

wonderful - love love love it.

lol what does 'twee' mean?

Aaah,love Shirley Hughes illustrations.The "Alfie" books very popular in this house.

whimsical and cutsey and cosy

Axel Scheffler by contrast is slightly edgy, much more interesting,much more accomplished illustrator, in my opinion.

no sorry, its horrible

reminded me of how young some of the cabinet appear (thought it was them at first!)

the boy / tree thing is bit odd too!

in answer to browniedropout...they will never have to live in them and neither will their families so it doesnt matter...

Anyone else think she looks like a young Jacqueline Wilson?

aw that sounds nice though ms, i like cutesy beatrix potter. i'm a sucker for a small woodland creature picure

though my favourite is matt groenings life is hell. rabbits being cynical

now I quite like Beatrix Potter !

But Beatrix Potter is ultra-twee, surely?

no, I don't think so - I think I just find drawings of supposedly 'cute' kids a bit yuck - I'm surprised you like her WW being a Posy Simmonds kind of girl - though of course it's possible to like different styles...I just don't find SH pleasing !

Why does it have to be a barfsome kiddywinky card. Why can t it be something grown up and inspiring and beautiful?

eg?

perhaps he's trying to show the family man side

An exquisite winter scene, a piece of lovely art - so many depictions of nativity or just winter.

it's

It's not about art per se, it's about Booktrust.

I'd have chosen another illustrator though