Book exhibition hails 'unsung hero' of publishing

Orlando's Evening Out from 1944 by Kathleen Hale

A new exhibition will shine a light on an "unsung hero" of publishing who is credited with helping shape children's reading through the 20th Century.

Publisher Noel Carrington became known for his work to create the Puffin Picture Books which were aimed at evacuee children during World War Two.

Mr Carrington, who moved to Bedford in 1903 to attend Bedford School, commissioned, edited and published some of Britain's best-loved children's books, ensuring they were affordable - and nurturing young artistic talent in the process.

Curator Joe Pearson said: "We now want to bring his name out of the darkness into the light."

Puffin Picture Book 31 Trees in Britain, 1943 by Stanley Badmin

The exhibition, Noel Carrington - Nothing Need be Ugly, at The Higgins Bedford, marks the 85th anniversary of the publication of the first Puffin Picture books in December 1940.

It will be the first time all 120 Puffin books, which Mr Pearson said were originally "designed to be used and played with and thrown away", will be displayed together in a set.

Noel Carrington (second left) with his siblings from left to right, Lottie, Teddy, Dora and Sam

Mr Pearson said Mr Carrington helped create some of the "best children's illustrated books", including the Captain Slaughterboard series by Mervyn Peake.

He said the publisher wanted to produce an inexpensive book that had integrated pictures, which he had seen in France and Russia, as before then pictures were placed at random.

"The books he worked on were stunning, full colour, which was a rarity for children's books, at the time", he said.

"I would call him a footnote man, if you search for books about the history of printing children's books, there's nothing about him.

"But if you go to the back and the index you will occasional find a reference to him.

"We now want to bring his name out of the darkness into the light."

Noel's granddaughter Sophie Mason was given a sneak preview of the exhibition by curator Joe Pearson

The Puffin Picture Books series began with PP1 War on Land, published in December 1940.

After 120 volumes, the series ended in March 1965.

The 32-page books, mostly in colour, were meant to be both entertaining and instructive, and intended for children aged between seven and 14.

Mr Carrington wanted the books to cost sixpence, worth about £1 now, and he worked out what he needed to do to make that happen, Mr Pearson added.

"He got artists to work directly on printing plates and he worked out how many copies they could have to get printed to get the price down and it was 100,000 copies of each book.

"Most books now are printed in less than 5,000," he said.

Noel Carrington, with his wife Katharine, and three children, Jane, Joanna and Paul

Victoria Partridge, keeper of fine and decorative art at the Bedford Museum, said Mr Carrington's "contribution to children's books is remarkable".

"He was also brilliant in nurturing young talent," she said.

"He launched the careers of many young artists including Kathleen Hale, whose stories about a ginger cat called Orlando, feature."

Joe Pearson standing by a drawing of Noel Carrington by his sister, Dora Carrington

The curator said the exhibition was named after a phrase from the Art Workers' Guild, part of the Design and Industries Association, a focus group that lobbied for good design and of which Mr Carrington was a member.

"Their mantra was Nothing Need Be Ugly," he said.

Puffin Picture Book 55 Extinct Animals, from 1947 by Hilary Stebbing

Puffin Picture Book 61 original artwork for The Arabs 1947 by Edward Bawden

Mr Pearson said Mr Carrington was "a supreme talent spotter, keen on giving artists their first break".

That included Richard Chopping, who created the artwork for the James Bond book covers that are "so iconic now".

"He was an enabler," he said.

One of the books featured is called High Street, with artwork showing wedding cakes painted by Eric Ravilious

• Noel Carrington - Nothing Need be Ugly opens at The Higgins Bedford on 15 November. The free exhibition in the Wixamtree and Connections Gallery will run until 28 June 2026.