Fans of children's laureate Anthony Browne have been waiting ages for a book like this to come along. For decades, the illustrator has been producing some of the most interesting picture books around — my children particularly enjoyed his stories about Willy the gorilla, who keeps getting pushed around by bigger kids. In his 1940s slipover jumper, Willy has become an iconic character in children’s literature.

Browne has never been afraid to confront young readers with slightly disturbing images and in Playing the Shape Game, (Doubleday, £25) written with his son Joe, he explains his artistic intentions while telling the story of his life.

This hardback volume is packed with colour illustrations from old classics including King Kong, My Mum, My Dad, and Piggybook.

In 2000, Browne was the first British illustrator to be awarded the highest international honour for illustration — the Hans Christian Andersen Award — and he is UK Children’s Laureate. He will join past children’s laureates Anne Fine, Michael Rosen and Jacqueline Wilson to launch the children’s programme of Oxford Literary Festival at 10am on April 2 (a family event for ages seven-plus.

Later, at 2pm, he and his son Joe will discuss their new book at Christ Church Cathedral School (minimum age 12). See www.oxfordliteraryfestival.com, box office 0870 343 1001.