Published 9 November 2026
The Andersen Press 50th anniversary celebrations include a charity artwork auction featuring work by 50 children’s book illustrators and an announced plan to donate books to 50 libraries across the UK. Founded in 1976 by Klaus Flugge, the independent children’s publisher is marking five decades with initiatives linked to illustration and access to books.
The anniversary activities began in October 2026, with The Bookseller reporting on the celebrations on 9 November.. The online artwork auction, supporting the Children’s Book Project, is scheduled to remain open until 30 November.
Andersen Press 50th Anniversary Brings 50 Illustrators Together
The anniversary auction includes original and previously created artwork donated by established illustrators and emerging talent associated with Andersen Press.
The auction includes artwork by Quentin Blake, Axel Scheffler, Posy Simmonds, Satoshi Kitamura and Susan Varley. An original piece by the late David McKee was donated by the McKee family.
The works include existing pieces and new illustrations inspired by the theme The Love of Reading.
As reported by Books for Keeps, the children’s book illustrators auction is being conducted online, with bidding scheduled to close on 30 November 2026.
Proceeds from the initiative will support the Children’s Book Project, a UK charity working to improve children’s access to books and encourage book ownership.
The fundraising total has not been presented as a final figure, and the auction remains ongoing at the time of publication.
Readers interested in viewing the contributed artwork can explore the official Andersen Press 50th anniversary auction catalogue, featuring contributions from children’s book illustrators.
Andersen Press Library Campaign to Support 50 UK Libraries
Alongside the auction, Andersen Press has announced plans to donate books to 50 libraries across the UK. The campaign has not yet been reported as a completed distribution programme.
The planned donations aim to recognise the work of librarians and help selected libraries strengthen their collections.
Libraries can be nominated by emailing their name and location to publicity@andersenpress.co.uk with the subject line 50 Libraries Campaign.
Andersen Press says successful librarians will be contacted at the end of November.
As of the article’s 9 November publication date, the donations remained an announced commitment; neither the completed delivery of books to 50 libraries nor the final list of recipients had been confirmed.
Its focus on accessibility also connects with wider children’s literacy efforts, including the Captain Underpants book-sharing initiative previously covered by America Publishers Author Spotlight.
From Klaus Flugge’s First Book to Five Decades of Children’s Publishing
According to the official Andersen Press company history, Klaus Flugge established the publisher in London in the autumn of 1976, naming it after Danish storyteller Hans Christian Andersen.
Its first publication was Goldilocks and the Three Bears, illustrated by Tony Ross, who was then making his debut as a children’s book illustrator.
Among its best-known publishing properties are Elmer the Patchwork Elephant, created by David McKee, and the Little Princess books associated with Tony Ross.
The publisher’s list has also included work by Jeanne Willis, Satoshi Kitamura, Melvin Burgess and other contributors to children’s literature.
Flugge’s own contribution to publishing has received several distinctions. He became the first publisher to receive the Eleanor Farjeon Award in 1999 and was honoured with the London Book Fair Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023.
Why the Anniversary Matters for Children’s Books and Libraries
The anniversary goes beyond a retrospective by drawing on Andersen Press’s longstanding relationships with illustrators to raise funds for the Children’s Book Project.
The separate 50-library commitment adds a measurable community initiative, with its impact dependent on recipient selection and the subsequent delivery of books.
With the charity artwork auction scheduled to close on 30 November 2026 and the library donations still planned, Andersen Press’s anniversary initiatives remain in progress. Their final outcomes will depend on the auction proceeds and the delivery of books to the selected libraries.
Explore the Anniversary and Original News Coverage
🔗 For The Bookseller’s Andersen Press 50th Anniversary Report: Click here
🔗 For Andersen Press Official Website: Click here
🔗 For the Anniversary Auction and Library Campaign Report by Books for Keeps: Click here
🔗 For the Official Andersen Press 50th Anniversary Artwork Auction: Click here
Source: The Bookseller, “Andersen Press marks 50 years with illustrators’ auction and library campaign,” published 9 November 2026. Read more at The Bookseller.
Additional source: Books for Keeps, “Andersen Press launches charity auction to kick off 50th anniversary celebrations,” published 19 October 2026. Read more at Books for Keeps.
Publisher background: Andersen Press, official company history. Read more at Andersen Press.
