The Sleeper and the Spindle

Chris Riddell provides the distinctive artwork for The Sleeper and the Spindle, one of several collaborations with Neil Gaiman. The illustrations are monochromatic apart from the addition of gold foil. For this book, Riddell drew inspiration from other artists like Gustave Dore, Aubrey Beardsley, William Morris, John Tenniel, and William Heath Robinson. There are also elements of classic illumination techniques, such as the elongated panels alongside the text. In 2016, Riddell was awarded the CILIP Kate Greenaway medal for his work in The Sleeper and the Spindle, making him the only illustrator to ever win this prestigious award three times. Riddell has also collaborated with Neil Gaiman on illustrated editions of The Graveyard Book; Coraline; Neverwhere, Odd and the Frost Giants, and Fortunately, the Milk, as well as the nonfiction book Art Matters. He also illustrated another classic fairy tale retelling, Russell Brand’s adaptation of The Pied Piper of Hamelin. Riddell compares his illustrative style to calligraphy, referring to the textural use of lines. Many of his works, including The Sleeper and the Spindle, feature illustrated lines of text in order to highlight particular moments of a story.

Riddell was the Children’s Laureate for the UK from 2015 to 2017, an office he held at the publication of The Sleeper and the Spindle. In 2019 he was made an official officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to illustration and charity.