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Emma Thompson writes Christmas book with illustrator and pen pal Axel Scheffler
Oscar-winning actor Dame Emma Thompson has teamed up with Puffin and illustrator Axel Scheffler, with whom she has corresponded for 30 years, to write Jim’s Spectacular Christmas.
Editorial director Andrea MacDonald bought world rights in Thompson’s text from Carol Crouch, with design manager Monica Whelan commissioning illustrations from Scheffler directly.
Due to be published this autumn, it follows the story of Jim, the real-life dog of Sir Henry Cole, the V&A’s founding director who famously sent the first ever Christmas card in 1843.
Cole founded the V&A in 1852 when it began as a Museum of Manufactures, and it was officially opened by Queen Victoria at its current Kensington site in 1857. Jim was Sir Henry’s Yorkshire terrier, and his diary entries indicate the fondness they had for one another, regularly strolling around the museum together.
There is now a commemorative plaque dedicated to the “Faithful Dog” set into the wall of the V&A’s John Madejski garden. Jim’s Spectacular Christmas will be published by Puffin in association with the V&A on 27th October.
After receiving a Jim-shaped Christmas decoration and becoming enraptured by a drawing that Sir Henry had made of his faithful pet, Puffin says Thompson was inspired to pen the tale of the scraggly canine hero, who Emma fondly describes as having a “gamey whiff”. The publisher said: “Emma weaves fact and fiction together, as Jim goes on a Christmas adventure filled with high emotion, redemption, unexpected presents and a life-changing brush with royalty. Axel Scheffler’s charismatic illustrations bring the story to life with his own special brand of warmth and humour, creating what is sure to become a beloved Christmas classic.”
After corresponding for 30 years, Thompson and Scheffler finally met at a Waterstones Christmas event in 2019. Jim’s Spectacular Christmas is their first project together.
Thompson said: “Upon learning about Sir Henry and Jim for the first time, I couldn’t help but run amok with ideas about what it must have been like for this unlikely pet to be living in such an amazing museum. I’ve been a fan of Axel’s work for many years because of the humanity and humour in all his illustrations, so to be collaborating with him on this project is an utter joy.”
Scheffler said: “Emma originally contacted me by letter to request a commission some 30 years ago and many followed over the years. That’s how our correspondence began, and we only met in person at a signing in a bookshop a few years ago. When Puffin came to me with this project, I was very excited to get involved and to do a book with Emma. Illustrating her wonderful story has been a great pleasure and I hope that many readers – young and old – will share the enjoyment in time for Christmas.”
Andrea MacDonald, editorial director for picture books at Puffin, added: “I cannot wait for children and adults to welcome Jim into their hearts this Christmas. Emma has taken Jim’s legend and created the most thrilling, funny and joyful adventure. The combination of Emma’s wit and words together with Axel’s glorious illustrations is sheer perfection: a very special book to celebrate a very special dog.”
