Axel was born in Hamburg, Germany. At school he was good at art,
but didn't think of a career in illustration until he won a cuddly
purple cow in a drawing competition.
He moved to England in 1982 to learn English and study illustration
at the Bath Academy of Art and then set up home in London. Axel
illustrated a number of books for various publishers, and in 1993
Kate Wilson suggested him as the illustrator for Julia Donaldson's
first picture book text, A Squash and a Squeeze. This was the start
of a hugely successful partnership: their bestselling modern
classic, The Gruffalo, has sold over three-and-a-half million
copies worldwide, and the TV animation was broadcast on Christmas
day 2009.
Axel has illustrated a number of other highly successful books,
including Muddle Farm, and his books have been translated into 42
languages.
Axel lives in London with his partner and young daughter.
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