Mister Gumpy's Outing (by John Burningham)

Mr. Gumpy's world is an idyll that extends beyond the page. You can feel the lazy heat of this summer's day, hear the crickets' chirr in the soft air and the sound of Mr. Gumpy's boat as it pushes through the meadow stream.

Matching the loveliness of his story stride for stride are Burningham's illustrations. These are luminous combinations of colored pen and wash and oils. On the left page is the gathering scene in the boat, done in black pen and ink. Stage right appear the successive occupants of the boat, each in turn, drawn loosely but with enormous presence.