Content area
Full Text
CHARLES SHIRLEY, who has died aged 56, was a prime mover in the seventies revolution that changed children's book publishing from a modest appendage to adult lists to a distinct and substantial part of the industry.
He entered publishing in 1964 at the end of the postwar era of high demand, flourishing public libraries and low inflation. His conglomerate included Methuen, which already had a children's list of distinction, with Winnie The Pooh, The Wind In The Willows, and Babar; new children's books were to be found discreetly tucked at the back of the catalogue.
Charles Shirley's achievement, with his editorial colleague Marilyn Malin, was to create the separate entity of Methuen Children's Books. It was an outward-looking company whose sense of identity was enhanced by bright design, a keen marketing drive, and a strong European flavour. Continental art and design of children's books were at...