Top artist illustrates Prep School minibus

Plymouth College Preparatory School has collaborated with award-winning children's author and illustrator, Simon James, on the design of its new minibus. The Plymouth-based writer has created a unique illustration for the bus that captures the charm of the school. 

In his unmistakable style, Simon's bus illustration depicts a scene on the school field with the Prep School in the background. Children are seen enjoying a variety of activities such as playing instruments, reading and kicking a rugby ball.

Publishing his first book in 1989, stories such as Sally and the Limpet, The Wild Woods and The Birdwatchers have established Simon as one of the country's leading author/illustrators. Leon and Bob won the Smarties Book Prize Silver Award and was the New York Times Best Illustrated Book of the Year, while Baby Brains has won numerous awards including the Picture Book Prize and the Overall Winner at the Red House Children's Book Award. Simon's books have been published in more than 20 languages around the world.

"When we got our new minibus we were keen to try something different from the usual school livery", said Prep School Headmaster, Chris Gatherer. "We wanted to create a picture that would bring our school to life. Asking Simon to do it was the obvious choice as we are great admirers of his work and his books are enjoyed enormously by our children.

"We are absolutely delighted with the results. The bus gets used for all sorts of things from the Derriford and Mannamead school run to taking the children to sports competitions and other exciting activities. I'm sure people will notice it driving around the city."

Simon James said: "It's been a pleasure for me to work on this unusual project that has suited my style of illustration so easily. I wanted to depict a sunny environment of community and discovery, therefore it seemed best to create a scene outdoors within the school grounds, amongst nature.

"After designing it, the actual illustration took much longer than I thought, there's a lot going on and the school uniform is very detailed. The artwork was created at my desk in my studio and although I have seen my worked hugely enlarged on various posters and projects before, you never know quite how it will turn out. It was a great pleasure to see it for the first time on the minibus and I am delighted with the result."

Keeping the project local, vehicle graphics and sign makers Signs Express took charge of wrapping the design around the bus.