We were delighted to welcome Class of 1970 alumna Jane Hissey, the celebrated author and illustrator of the beloved Old Bear and Friends book series, as she visited our Prep School and Nursery as part of our 150 anniversary celebrations. The audience for her presentation included not only our pupils but also staff and parents, many of whom have fond memories of reading her books during their own childhoods.

Jane joined Norwich High School for Girls at age 11, where she discovered a love for both writing and drawing. This passion led her to study art, first in Great Yarmouth and later in Brighton, under the tutelage of famous names such as Raymond Briggs. After teaching art for a time, she began drawing her own children’s toys while they were young – a creative pursuit that would eventually lead to the creation of her famous characters. For over 40 years now, she has been bringing these timeless stories to life.

It was a magical morning in the Prep School as Jane led the children through the fascinating process of writing her books in an assembly. She explained how each story begins with an idea, which she then uses to create a “dummy book” to plan out her detailed illustrations. Her inspiration, she told the children, comes from keeping notes on things she might want to draw. She shared her love for capturing texture, from the fluffy fur of a teddy bear to the intricate weaves of a basket, the delicate nature of feathers and the beauty of bubbles.

And then, she introduced the stars of the show! Jane brought all the original toys that inspired the characters, including Old Bear, who was her own teddy from childhood. She also introduced the children to Little Bear, with his famous red trousers, and Bramwell Brown, the wise and resourceful bear. The children were captivated, especially when they saw the special jointed version of Little Bear that was used to film the BAFTA-winning TV series.

Jane’s presentation was filled with incredible details about her work, including the meticulous process behind her beautiful illustrations. She revealed that it can take her up to five hours just to draw a single character. She also showed the children a huge, unfolded sheet layout of a book, explaining how the pages are printed on a single large sheet, then folded, trimmed and bound with the cover. It was a fascinating glimpse into how a story goes from a simple idea to a finished book.

The children, full of curiosity, asked Jane a wonderful array of questions, showing just how much her stories have captured their imaginations. The main assembly was with our Year 2 to 6 students, but Jane also held a special session with our younger girls in Nursery, Reception, and Year 1. They even brought along some teddies to listen to the stories!

A true testament to the lasting appeal of her work, many children and staff brought in their own well-loved copies of her books, which Jane kindly signed. As a special gift, she generously presented the school with an original illustration of Old Bear and Little Bear. This beautiful piece will be hung with pride, a permanent reminder of her special visit and her enduring connection to our school.