Creatives praised at PRH Children’s Summer Party

Francesca Dow praised her authors and illustrators for keeping the “magic of storytelling” alive at the annual Penguin Random House Children’s Summer Party last night (27th June).

At the party, held at Somerset House in London, she said: “This party is to say thanks and celebrate you, our wonderful authors and illustrators. What you do is so vital. You take them children into new worlds. A story can be an escape but it can also be a connection, giving a great sense of community and belonging.”

The publisher celebrated this year’s 150th anniversary of Beatrix Potter and the Roald Dahl Centenary, and Dow paid tribute to Dahl, saying: “Never grow up, always down. Keep the child alive inside you and grow down so you can share. Share with children who are curious, who have open minds and who are our future”.

She also praised her team, saying Penguin Children’s and Random House Children’s were “loving” being fully integrated.

Around 500 guests were in attendance at the party, including authors Malorie Blackman, Simon Mayo, Helen Oxenbury and Ed Vere.

Francesca Dow (centre) with Penguin Random House authors and illustrators (l-r) Emily Barr, John Burningham, Simon Mayo, Helen Oxenbury, Malorie Blackman, Robin Stevens and Ed Vere.