Fans of author Douglas Adams in general and his Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy in particular know that today is“Towel Day.” To celebrate, we’ve got some wonderful illustrations from Chris Riddell to share from a new edition of Adams’ beloved classic.
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A crop of the newly illustrated cover. (Image: Chris Riddell/Del Rey)
Fans of author Douglas Adams in general and his
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy in particular know that today, May 25, is the international holiday known as “Towel Day.” To celebrate, Gizmodo has some wonderful illustrations to share from Del Rey’s new edition of Adams’ beloved classic.
Just in case you didn’t already realise: 2021 is the 42nd anniversary of
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, which was first published in 1979. That adds special significance since, according to the supercomputer Deep Thought, 42 is “the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything.” So grab your towel (“about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have”), order six pints of bitter (because the world’s about to end), and enjoy Chris Riddell’s illustrations below, starting with this lovely new cover:
Never-before-seen drafts of children s classic on view at Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft
John Vernon Lord, The Giant Jam Sandwich. Courtesy of the artist.
DITCHLING
.- A new exhibition opened at Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft this Spring, to mark 50 years of revered illustrator John Vernon Lords life and work in Ditchling. Lord is one of Britain s most recognised and respected illustrators, owing both to his own practice, and his pioneering contribution to education across almost six decades. Lord has illustrated many classics of English literature including the work of Lewis Carroll, Edward Lear, Aesops fables and James Joyce and is regarded as a pillar of the local arts community in Ditchling where he has lived since the 1970s. Also an author in his own right, Lord has written and illustrated a number of childrens books including The Giant Jam Sandwich (1972), which has since become a modern classic.
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Among those backing the appeal are famous children’s author Jacqueline Wilson and illustrator Axel Scheffler, raising thousands for a school in Zimbabwe.
Celebrities and authors support the 1st Burley Brownies Bookmark Project. Image by Simon Hulme.
The initiative, which began five years ago in the Burley-in-Wharfedale Scout Hut, is changing the world for a group of children in Africa, and perceptions for those closer to home.
“It’s about looking out for other people and doing things to help,” said primary school teacher Sharon Hattersley, who is Brownie leader.
“It’s a way of combining a love of books and a love of art with making a difference. And showing the girls they can have an impact on the world.
A GROUP of Yorkshire Brownies, has received support from A-list celebrities such as Dame Helen Mirren and author Sir Quentin Blake for its project to raise funding for a school in Zimbabwe. Every year the girls of the 1st Burley Brownies, based in Burley-in-Wharfedale near Ilkley, write letters to their favourite authors, illustrators and celebrities asking them to design a bookmark. This year the brownies have received over 350 bookmarks from authors Jacqueline Wilson, Cressida Cowell, and M.G Leonard; illustrators Sir Quentin Blake, Jackie Morris and Chris Riddell; comedian Jo Brand; musician Brian May; actors Dame Helen Mirren, Anita Dobson and Debbie Chazen; German illustrator Axel Scheffler and many more.