It has been fifteen years since Lauren Child created her award-winning illustrated story, I Will Never Eat a Tomato, featuring siblings, Charlie and Lola. The younger of the two, Lola, knows what she likes and what she doesn’t – she won’t eat mushrooms, eggs or peas, and she will NEVER eat a tomato. However, through his imaginative efforts, her brother Charlie tries to change her mind. Lauren is now one of the most popular and successful author/illustrators of all time, with worldwide sales of over three million, and huge critical acclaim.
This summer, Lauren welcomes everyone to her first exhibition at the National Trust’s Mottisfont in Hampshire. You’ll get the chance to see 50 illustrations, including beautiful new artworks for classics such as ‘The Princess and the Pea’, alongside personal objects that inspired her stories.
Visitors can also enjoy a sneak peak of Lauren’s new book, One Thing, which is due for release this autumn. If that wasn’t enough to be excited about, Lauren has worked with the Monttisfont team to create a family trail perfect for kids. They will be taken on an adventure with Charlie and Lola and friends, with fun and creative challenges along the way. The exhibition is running for over a month, so there is plenty of time to plan a family day out.
The lowdown
Where: Mottisfont Abbey, Hampshire, SO51 0LP
When: The Art of Lauren Child: Charlie and Lola and Friends runs from 18 July to 6 September. Lauren Child will make a personal appearance on Saturday 18 July (11am and 2pm), to read from, and sign books
Price: Free
Find out more: nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfont