The Curious World of Pamela Allen

With timeless classics like Mr Archimedes’ Bath, Mr McGee and Alexander’s Outing, Pamela Allen has captured the hearts of readers for more than 40 years. 

Her much-loved stories come to life in this playful, interactive exhibition for the whole family. Play in Mr McGee’s tree, flip through giant pages of Bertie and the Bear, and make a splash with the animals from Who Sank the Boat? Pop on a favourite character’s hat and discover cosy reading nooks and secret hidey-holes along the way. 

Allen’s deceptively simple stories — full of rhythm, repetition and irresistible illustrations — continue to delight readers young and old, with 31 of her titles still in print today. See how her distinctive visual style evolved through early character sketches, original watercolours, and rarely seen artworks from lesser-known books, drawn from her remarkable archive held in the Library’s collection. 

Whether you grew up with Pamela Allen or are discovering her for the first time, The Curious World of Pamela Allen is a joyful celebration of storytelling, creativity and the magic of books.