We profile Book Trust Lifetime Achievement Award winners John Burningham and Helen Oxenbury, with tributes from judges and peers

Download the PDF of 'Double Act'

Two giants of children’s literature, John Burningham and Helen Oxenbury, were this month presented with the BookTrust Lifetime Achievement Award – the first time that a double award has been made.

The couple – who are husband and wife – have written and illustrated some of most celebrated and popular picture books of the past 50-plus years. Oxenbury became a household name after illustrating We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, while Burningham is best known within the early years sector for his Mr Gumpy stories.

Set up in 2015, the award celebrates the body of work of an author or illustrator who has made an outstanding contribution to children's literature. Previous winners have been Shirley Hughes, Judith Kerr and Raymond Briggs.

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