Take a look below to see the full list of chosen books, who picked them and why. It’s not too late to tell us your childhood favourites too, tag us on Twitter using @FoundlingMuseum and add the hashtag #LaurenChildCurates.
As a child, artist and Foundling Fellow Grayson Perry @Alan_Measles spent hours poring over the twelve volumes of The Children’s Encyclopaedia by Arthur Mee, with its fabulous illustrations. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 2, 2021
As a 7 year old, Executive Assistant Alice loved Roald Dahl’s Matilda. It taught her that libraries were safe havens filled with new worlds to conquer and other passionate nerds to befriend! What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 2, 2021
Musician, writer & presenter Katy Hamilton @klhamilton read Jenny Nimmo’s The Snow Spider Trilogy at school, and its powerful storytelling inspired her to write her own stories. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 2, 2021
Visitor Engagement Manager Tabi learned not to eat string, or to be rude, or to shoot her brother, thanks to Quentin Blake’s Algernon and Other Cautionary Tales – what art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 2, 2021
Reading The Snow Goose by Paul Gallico as a child encouraged Tuz to look at people differently and appreciate what we each have to offer. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 3, 2021
Development Officer Lucy always loved the wonderfully detailed & surreal illustrations in Anthony Browne’s Gorilla & even as an adult finds herself noticing strange details in everyday situations. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 3, 2021
Collections Manager Alison loved The Apple by Dick Bruna, the story of a weathervane who takes a fallen apple for a ride. She says it is a wonderful reminder of the benefits of being kind. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 3, 2021
Freelancer Susanna says to herself ‘be more Tortoise and less Hare’ after the illustrated Aesop’s Fables her father read to her as a child – what art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 3, 2021
CEO @RAFMUSEUM Maggie was enthralled by The City Under The Back Steps by Evelyn Sibley Lampman, the tale of siblings shrunk to the size of ants to teach them about respect for all creatures. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 4, 2021
Clare’s love of music and singing began with Elfrida Vipont’s The Lark in the Morn, which deftly sketches the complexity of adolescent relationships with family and friends. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 4, 2021
As an only, lonely child, Marcia discovered imaginary siblings in Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women and took to heart its lesson of courage in the face of adversity. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 4, 2021
Nicola Davies @nicolakidsbooks was shaped as an author by The Bafut Beagles and other books by Gerald Durrell. They also fed her passion for animals and fuelled her desire to travel. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 4, 2021
Director of @DontLoseHopeCh1 Nicola said ‘My absolute favourite book was Enid Blyton’s The Magic Faraway Tree, and I still love escaping to other lands in my mind’. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 5, 2021
Nurse Jenny was influenced by Enid Blyton’s Famous Five books, which inspired her love of the outdoors, and, as a tomboy, the character of George reminded her always to be true to herself. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 5, 2021
The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge was Emily’s favourite book as a child – she got solid life advice about reconciliation and forgiveness, as well as lifelong love of pink geraniums! What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 5, 2021
The mix of real life and magical elements, complex families, genuine peril, false idols and true heroism in Diana Wynn-Jones’ The Ogre Downstairs inspired Lucy to write. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 5, 2021
Chair of the Foundling Museum, Larissa, grew up loving Mr Rabbit and the Lovely Present by Charlotte Zolotow, with its amazing illustrations by Maurice Sendak. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 6, 2021
After reading JM Barrie’s Peter Pan, Howard loved the idea of escaping and being his own man. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 6, 2021
Lisa was fascinated by ‘Brendon Chase by ‘BB’ – the escape from the restriction of a world run by adults to live wild in the woods, the love of nature – and the fabulous woodcut illustrations. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 6, 2021
Furniture conservator Anthony @BeechInfo read Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons as a child, and the sense of adventure has stayed with him ever since. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 6, 2021
Hugh’s treasured childhood book was Maurice Sendak’s Where The Wild Things Are. He dreamed of dressing up, proclaiming himself King and running around with monsters! He still sees himself as Max – what art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 9, 2021
Sharon Ament, Director @MuseumofLondon dreamt of BOAC planes and exotic destinations after reading the Ladybird Book of Travel Adventure, and it spurred her deep desire to travel the world. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 9, 2021
Laura was born near the station, so Paddington Bear, as read to her by her dad, was a favourite childhood book which left her with a killer Hard Stare! What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 9, 2021
Lana felt empowered by Anne Holm’s I am David – a child’s attempt to discover identity and understand the behavior of adults. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 9, 2021
Director @BarberInstitute Nicola recalls the dark, gruesome Russian fairytales translated by Amabel Williams-Ellis and illustrated by Sarah Nechamkin. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 10, 2021
Will read The Owl Service by Alan Garner and found it thrilling and terrifying – he suddenly felt like the grown-up he is now. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 10, 2021
Geoff became fascinated with journey narratives in which characters overcome obstacles after reading Alice Through the Looking Glass. It set in early and decades later he says it’s still there. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 10, 2021
Richard read Kipling’s Puck of Pook’s Hill when he was very young and it whetted a particular curiosity about the past which serves him well as a professional historian. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 10, 2021
Author M.G. Leonard @MGLnrd read The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett and it taught her that learning about plants, birds and beetles will bring you joy and healing. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 11, 2021
David was inspired by the evocative WW2 story, Hero on a Bicycle by Shirley Hughes. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 11, 2021
George read The Phantom Tollbooth and loved the way the allegorical names worked, and the clever use of words. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 11, 2021
Julia @ottieandthebea fell in love with Paddington and his wonderfully joyful approach to life in Michael Bond’s books, which she tries to replicate in her wonderful bookshop. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 11, 2021
Director General @I_W_M Diane Lees used to look at the beautiful illustrations in Our Bird Book by Sidney Rogerson & Charles Tunnicliffe – it fired her enthusiasm for the British countryside. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 12, 2021
Jeremy’s first exposure to the idea that terrible things could happen was in The Silver Sword by Ian Seraillier. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 12, 2021
Tintin is Katerina’s hero. Incredible adventures, always seeking truth, fighting the bad guys, and good humour- she tries to emulate him through her life choices. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 12, 2021
Nigel read The Railway Children and loved its humanity and sense of place. And it instilled in him a lifelong love of trains! What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 12, 2021
As a child, Lord Russell of Liverpool loved Ronald Welch’s Knight Crusader, which taught him that history is not about dividing countries, people or causes into good or bad, right or wrong. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 13, 2021
Kate has read Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings so often, she feels like the book is coded into her DNA. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 13, 2021
Victoria was so inspired by Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden that she named her company after it! What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 13, 2021
Vicky was left full of wonder by the magic, adventure, friendship and family in Enid Blyton’s The Magic Faraway Tree. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 13, 2021
Folksinger Sam Lee @SamLee adored The Long Dive by Mr & Mrs Smith, and found mystery and wonder in this little-remembered children’s story. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 16, 2021
Clare read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe when she was 8, and was so enthusiastic that she got her friends to help her produce a puppet theatre version of the story. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 16, 2021
Michael was inspired by Kenneth Grahame’s Wind in the Willows, and still values friendship and fast cars! What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 16, 2021
David was inspired by the evocative WW2 story, Hero on a Bicycle by Shirley Hughes. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 16, 2021
Sue read A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton Porter when she was in hospital as a child. It inspired her, and encouraged her to always be true to herself. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 17, 2021
Emma begged to go to boarding school after reading Malory Towers by Enid Blyton. Emma learned from all main character Darrell’s mistakes as she tries to become a ‘good’ human. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 17, 2021
Furniture conservator Anthony @BeechInfo read Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons as a child, and the sense of adventure has stayed with him ever since. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 17, 2021
Our Director Caro treasures her 1972 copy of Quentin Blake’s Patrick. Each rabbit-gnawed page transforms the so-so every day, into magical, colour-saturated fun. It’s utterly joyous. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 17, 2021
CEO @NottmCastle Sara was transfixed as a child by an illustrated book version of the Sherman Brothers song, The Ugly Bug Ball – beautiful imagery and text showed her how artforms could combine. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 18, 2021
Communications Manager Rosie @Culture24 says the picaresque journey through Irish folklore in The Hounds of the Morrigan by Pat O’Shea inspired her love of humorous storytelling. ). What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 18, 2021
Author Karin @andtheHare adored Pippi Longstocking, who could carry a horse and had a dad who was a pirate. ‘Those who are very strong, must also be very kind’ became Karin’s words to live by. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 18, 2021
Author Karin @andtheHare adored Pippi Longstocking, who could carry a horse and had a dad who was a pirate. ‘Those who are very strong, must also be very kind’ became Karin’s words to live by. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 18, 2021
Ruth Gill @NtlMuseumsScot treasures her copy of Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are. The transformation of Max’s bedroom into a forest began an epic adventure which has never ended. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 19, 2021
Molly Skinner, Content Manager @_smartify, discovered her love of words through Dick King-Smith’s The Omnibombulator (she still finds it very fun to say). What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 19, 2021
Artist @iansmithartist vividly remembers reading Roald Dahl’s The Twits, with Quentin Blake’s raw, energetic illustrations that felt like they moved on the page. Could Mr & Mrs Twit be real? What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 19, 2021
Anne Beckwith-Smith, our Trustee, was fascinated as a child by The Children of the New Forest by Captain Frederick Marryat. It gave her a lifelong love of history and adventure – what art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 19, 2021
Iwona Blazwick, Director @_TheWhitechapel is still inspired by the luminous watercolour illustrations in Cecily Mary Barker’s magical Groundsel and Necklaces. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 20, 2021
Kieron Corless, Associate Editor @SightSoundmag got endless hours of pleasure as a child from the wonderful illustrations of Maurice Sendak’s Where The Wild Things Are – what art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 20, 2021
Author & illustrator @JackieMorrisArt was transfixed as a child by the wild magic and eerie sense of place of Alan Garner’s Elidor. What art from your childhood made you the adult you are today? #laurenchildcurates
— Foundling Museum (@FoundlingMuseum) August 20, 2021