Friday’s Library Snapshot … Eileen Soper

When Badgers awake written and illustrated by Eileen Soper

Eileen Soper (1905-1990) illustrator and print-maker from an early age expressed a desire to follow in her father’s footsteps.  Eileen’s father was a book illustrator and his life and work is well documented in the Art of George and Eileen Soper.  Encouraged by her father Eileen soon rivaled him and surpassed his popularity.
At sixteen she exhibited some etchings of children at play at the Royal Academy and attracted much attention from fellow artists and the general public.
As she developed she began to work as an illustrator of children’s books. In collaboration with Enid Blyton she worked on the Famous Five Adventures and a range of other books including the Children’s Life of Christ.
She also wrote and illustrated wildlife  books and made a considerable impact on the natural history scene with the publication When the badgers awake.  It was an account of her four year study of a badger colony.  Although she wrote more books about general observations of natural history they never made the same impression as her badger studies.

No badgers in my wood by Phil Drabble illustrations by Eileen A. Soper

Five on Kirrin Island again by Enis Blyton ; illustrated by Eileen A. Soper

The Children’s Life of Christ by Enid Blyton illustrated by Eileen A. Soper