Scheffler creates mural for children’s hospital

Axel Scheffler has created a 12-metre mural for the walls of Evelina London Children’s Hospital as part of a partnership with the charity Readathon.

Scheffler and author Julia Donaldson partnered with Readathon for the launch of their new book, Zog and the Flying Doctors (Scholastic). Scheffler presented the mural, featuring artwork from the book, during an event at the hospital, whilst Donaldson performed the story of Zog with her husband Malcolm.

Marian Ridley, director of Evelina London, located in Westminster Bridge Road SE1, said she was “thrilled” to host the launch of Zog and the Flying Doctors at the hospital’s school. “Julia and Axel’s books are a firm favourite with many of our patients so it really is a treat that they have heard one of the first public readings, although patients may now be disappointed when our doctors don’t appear on the back of a dragon.”

She added: “The mural is outstanding and stretches down the corridor leading to our new procedure room and main theatre suite. The artwork will provide an excellent distraction for our patients. Due to open before the end of the year, the new room will mean we can treat around 100 additional children per month with procedures like investigations or minor surgery.”

www.thebookseller.com/news/illustrator-chart-ross-biggest-draw-2015-322008">Scheffler was the second biggest selling children’s illustrator in the UK last year, according to Nielsen BookScan data compiled by The Bookseller, with unit sales of 1,680,669 and value sales of £6.5m.

Donaldson was the most successful author of 2015, ringing up £31.9m through the tills.