Quentin Blake’s Box of Treasures – Live Lesson

In this Live Lesson, students will step into the shoes of illustrators, bringing a brand-new character to life, inspired by the work of world-famous author and illustrator Quentin Blake.

What happens in the Live Lesson?

We dive into the exciting world of Quentin Blake's Box of Treasures in this art and literacy lesson designed for 7-11 year olds.

We'll challenge your students' comprehension skills, explore the hidden meanings that illustrations can reveal about book characters, and learn some simple drawing techniques.

The Live Lesson is presented by Rhys Stephenson and Laura Hopkinson with the help of top illustrators, Vivian Truong and Dapo Adeola.

By the end of the lesson, children will be will ready to create their very own Zagazoo character, inspired by the animated specials and the original Quentin Blake illustrations.

The 30 minute Live Lesson is available to watch now on this page and on BBC iPlayer.

Curriculum links:

• National Curriculum, England - Key Stage 2 English and Art and Design
• National Curriculum, Northern Ireland - Key Stage 2 Language and Literacy and Art and Design
• Curriculum for Excellence, Scotland - Literacy and English and Expressive Arts 1st and 2nd Level
• Curriculum for Wales - Language, Literacy and Communication and Art and Design, progression step 2

Learning objectives:

Pupils should:

• In reading, draw inferences from text and images.
• Create sketches to record observations and develop drawing techniques.
• Consider how moods, emotions, thoughts and motives are communicated in creative work.
• Talk about and draw what a character from a story might look like.

Teaching guide and activity sheets

These resources can be downloaded or printed to use alongside the Live Lesson.

How to get involved:

This programme was accompanied by a live website commentary feed for schools.

We read all your messages and added as many as we could to this live commentary page throughout the day.

Who is Quentin Blake?

Sir Quentin Blake is one of Britain's best-loved authors and illustrators who has drawn the covers of over 300 children's books. He has been a teacher of illustrators and created murals for hospitals, galleries and community spaces. He still draws every day.

Quentin Blake’s Box of Treasures is an exciting series of animated specials based on six of Quentin's best-selling books, brought to life through animation and the talented voices of a host of famous actors.

All six specials, Jack and Nancy, Zagazoo, Snuff, Mrs Armitage on Wheels, Angel Pavement and Loveykins are available to watch on BBC iPlayer now.

During the Live Lesson we’ll be focusing on characters from the story of Zagazoo, which can be watched here on BBC iPlayer.

Useful links

• Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration - Illustration lessons linked to the national curricula
• Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration - A selection of free family activities designed by illustrators to do at home

Where next?