Emma Thompson story features festive adventures of V&A founder’s dog Jim
With just over a fortnight to go until the June 15 deadline to enter The Henries, greeting card publishers are eagerly uploading their submissions – as book publisher Puffin is putting the final touches to a new book involving The Henries’ namesake Sir Henry Cole.
Sir Henry, who launched the first commercial Christmas card in 1843, is being brought back for the festive season with the brand-new children’s book Jim’s Spectacular Christmas about the Victorian philanthropist’s little dog, written by actress and screenwriter Dame Emma Thompson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler.
The heart-warming tale is being published by Puffin in collaboration with the V&A – which was founded by Sir Henry in 1852 as the Museum Of Manufactures and officially opened by Queen Victoria on its current Kensington site in 1857.
Sir Henry’s diary entries indicate the fondness he had for his dog, regularly strolling around together with Jim accompanying his owner everywhere around the museum, and including his own sketches of his favourite pooch.
There is a commemorative plaque dedicated to Faithful Dog Jim, alongside one to Sir Henry’s next pet Tycho, set into the wall of what is now the V&A’s John Madejski garden.
As the news of the new book was revealed yesterday (31 May) Tristram Hunt, director of the V&A Museum, said: “Sir Henry Cole’s legacy is relatively unknown to the public, yet it is such an important part of the V&A’s rich history. Working with Puffin has been the perfect collaboration for this wonderful project, and we are completely thrilled that Emma and Axel have taken it on. We can’t wait to share this beautiful Christmas story with the public.”
After receiving a Jim-shaped Christmas decoration and becoming enraptured by a drawing that Sir Henry had made of his faithful pet, Emma was inspired to pen the tale of the scraggly canine hero, who she fondly describes as having a “gamey whiff”.
In the book, set to be published in hardback on 27 October at £14.99, Oscar-winner Emma weaves fact and fiction together as Jim goes on a Christmas adventure filled with high emotion, redemption, unexpected presents and a life-changing brush with royalty.
Axel’s charismatic illustrations bring the story to life with his own special brand of warmth and humour, and Puffin’s editorial director for picture books Andrea MacDonald said: “The combination of Emma’s wit and words together with Axel’s glorious illustrations is sheer perfection – a very special book to celebrate a very special dog.”
Emma said: “Upon learning about Sir Henry and Jim for the first time, I couldn’t help but run amok with ideas about what it must have been like for this unlikely pet to be living in such an amazing museum. I’ve been a fan of Axel’s work for many years because of the humanity and humour in all his illustrations, so to be collaborating with him on this project is an utter joy.”
All UK card publishers are encouraged to enter The Henries 2022 awards, the ultimate accolades for greeting card ranges right across the spectrum. Entering is free and easy. Just head to the website by clicking here.
As previously announced on PG Buzz, this year The Henries will be judged in two stages, by an extensive retail panel. First is an online judging round for all entries, from which the shortlisted finalists will go forward to a physical live judging event.
The winners will be announced a lavish upbeat 1950s-themed awards evening on Thursday, 6 October, at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel. To book tickets click here.
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