Play the Shape Game

11 August 2010

Anthony Browne has launched a charity project linked to the Shape Game which he has promoted throughout his time as Children's Laureate as a great way of helping people to be more creative.

Anthony’s Shape Game is an imaginative drawing game involving one player drawing a shape at random, and the next then turning it into something recognisable. With this project, he has invited over 40 writers, artists, illustrators and celebrities to play the game, transforming an original shape he has drawn to create their own unique artworks.

Those who are taking part include former Children's Laureates Quentin Blake, Michael Rosen, Dame Jacqueline Wilson, Michael Morpurgo and Anne Fine, as well as Sir Peter Blake, Jo Brand, Emma Thompson, Harry Hill, Alain de Botton, Ian McEwan, Philip Pullman, Shirley Hughes, Sir Andrew Motion and many more.

The artworks produced will be sold at online auction and the transformed shapes will be published by Walker Books in an accompanying book, Play the Shape Game, intended to encourage children to be creative and use their imaginations. The book will also feature brand new shapes created by the contributors, which readers can customise for themselves and all proceeds from the project will be donated to Rainbow Trust, a charity which provides vital support to families who have a child with a life threatening illness.

Anthony says: “Although on one level it's just a game, I believe that it encapsulates the act of creativity... everything comes from something else, inspiration is everywhere. I am thrilled that so many big names have signed up to play the Shape Game”.

For more information please visit www.childrenslaureate.org.uk/Shape-Game