Who illustrated the original Paddington books written by Michael Bond?

Peggy Fortnum illustrated the original Paddington books written by Michael Bond.

Fortnum’s line drawings helped establish Paddington’s classic visual appearance. Her illustrations show the bear in his duffle coat and hat, often surrounded by the visual consequences of his well-meaning but troublesome actions. They became closely associated with the early books even though other artists later illustrated Paddington titles.

Fortnum illustrated the first Paddington book, A Bear Called Paddington, published in 1958. The character’s design in those illustrations differs in style from the digitally animated Paddington seen in the modern films, but the recognizable costume and expressive face remain connected.

Quentin Blake and E. H. Shepard are also famous British children’s-book illustrators, which can make them plausible alternatives. Blake illustrated many books by Roald Dahl, while Shepard illustrated Winnie-the-Pooh and The Wind in the Willows; neither created the original Paddington illustrations.