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Barbara Firth (1928-2013)


Barbara Firth (1928-2013)

The illustrator, Barbara Firth, is best known for her children’s books, and especially her collaborations with Martin Waddell on the ‘Little Bear’ series, which includes the award-winning bedtime classic, Can’t You Sleep, Little Bear? (1988). Her illustrations have been described as ‘rich, warm and evocative’ (Julia Eccleshare, 2013).

Barbara Firth was born in Cheshire on 20 September 1928, the daughter of a railway worker. Her family came from Yorkshire stock comprising farmers and blacksmiths. Growing up in Hyde, she showed an interest in art from the age of three, and enjoyed drawing animals and plants whenever she could, especially during visits to her uncles’ farms. Her father and her art teachers encouraged her, but the Head of her secondary school would not allow her to include art among the subjects for her leaving examinations.

Barbara Firth moved to London, where she took a job with Marks and Spencer, first working as a junior clerk in the head office, and then – training at London College of Fashion – in cutting, design, patterns and show cards.