Mr Benn comes back to life

Big-Top Benn was written and illustrated by David McKee 30 years ago, and is set to be republished in its original format for the first time. © © David McKee. From Big-Top Benn, Tate Publishing Photograph: David McKee/other "Mr Benn has been a part of my life since 1965," says McKee, "but it feels as though he's always been there. Over the years, public reaction to him has been very rewarding. The fact that Tate has published him in his original form is really the icing on the cake." © David McKee. From Big-Top Benn, Tate Publishing Photograph: David McKee/other Mr Benn’s address, 52 Festive Road, is based on McKee’s street in Putney, where he wrote the original Mr Benn books. © David McKee. From Big-Top Benn, Tate Publishing Photograph: David McKee/other McKee was born in Devon in 1935. While studying fine arts at Plymouth Art College he started selling his drawings to the national press, submitting cartoons to Punch and TES. The hilly landscapes in Big-Top Benn resemble Widemoor in Dartmoor where McKee grew up. © David McKee. From Big-Top Benn, Tate Publishing Photograph: David McKee/other After publishing his first children's book at the age of 29, McKee went on to create several well-known characters including Mr Benn, King Rollo, Not Now Bernard and Elmer the Patchwork Elephant. © David McKee. From Big-Top Benn, Tate Publishing Photograph: David McKee/other The first Mr Benn TV episode, The Red Knight, was aired by the BBC on 25th February 1971 and has since been repeated more than 60 times. © David McKee. From Big-Top Benn, Tate Publishing Photograph: David McKee/other The shopkeeper is one of two characters who reappear in the Mr Benn adventures, the other being the freed prisoner Smasher Lagru. © David McKee. From Big-Top Benn, Tate Publishing Photograph: David McKee/other David McKee has more than 100 children's books to his name and continues to write and draw at the age of 75. © David McKee. From Big-Top Benn, Tate Publishing Photograph: David McKee/other