The illustrators
This is one of the MOST delightful books I have read aloud to my son. And, it is set during the holiday season!
When reading The Hundred and One Dalmatians, you just have to have a copy that includes an illustration of the ‘Twilight Barking’ – Remember that scene in the movie where this dog barks to that dog and so on and soon the message is carried across town to the countryside? My son adored following the path that Pongo and Missis’ barks for help finding their puppies take through the city into the country….it’s great fun!
And of course, there are the Cruella de Vils…!
Featured here are versions by Janet & Anne Grahame-Johnstone, David Roberts, Alex T. Smith and the only full color version by Vanessa Julian-Ottie.
Janet and Anne Grahame-Johnstone
The original illustrators! These twin sisters created delicate and highly detailed images for Dodie Smith’s endearing story, not only illustrating The Hundred and One Dalmatians but also The Starlight Barking and The Midnight Kittens, follow up novels. Their Cruella is more beautiful and elegant than later versions in my opinion, with only subtle hints at her cruelty.
This edition published 1993 by Dean, London.
Where to Buy:
USED ∞ The Hundred and One Dalmatians illustrated by Janet and Anne Grahame-Johnstone on Abebooks
David Roberts
This edition of The Hundred and One Dalmatians illustrated by David Roberts is a UK version but easily available on Abebooks. I love this artist’s style, which you might recognize from the Questioneer series of picture books – Rosie Revere, Engineer and Iggy Peck, Architect.
If you enjoy this version there is also a version of Dodie Smith’s follow up novel, The Starlight Barking” illustrated by David Roberts.
This edition published 2006 by Egmont UK Limited
Where to Buy:
USED ∞ The Hundred and One Dalmatians illustrated by David Roberts on Abebooks
Alex T. Smith
Alex T. Smith’s version of The Hundred and One Dalmatians has a unique ‘Twilight Barking’, placed within the chapter titled “Hark, Hark, the Dogs do Bark!” and it resembles a tour brochure – quite wonderful! I love the cutesy element of the illustrations and that it doesn’t lose touch with the tone of the story. An added bonus is that Dodie Smith’s follow up book, The Starlight Barking is included, although readers please note it does not contain illustrations.
This edition published 2018 by Egmont Books
Where to Buy:
NEW ∞ The Hundred and One Dalmatians illustrated by Alex T. Smith on AMAZON
Vanessa Julian-Ottie
This wonderful version illustrated by Vanessa Julian-Ottie does not have The Twilight Barking, but is the only one that I have found with full color illustrations!
This edition published 1993 by William Heinemann Ltd
Where to Buy:
USED ∞ The Hundred and One Dalmatians illustrated by Vanessa Julian-Ottie on Abebooks
Other One Hundred and One Dalmatians Illustrators
Abridged Version and For the Collector
I love this adapted version by Peter Bently. Disney has a ton of adapted versions, but they are all adapted from the movie. This version follows the story in the original book and is just wonderful! There is also a follow up Cruella and Cadpig if you enjoy this one!
Illustrations by Steven Lenton
For the Collector
The Folio Society Illustrated by Sara Ogilvie
If it is still available, this edition is exquisite.
From the Folio Society’s Website: This superb edition is introduced by former Children’s Laureate Jacqueline Wilson, who explains how The Hundred and One Dalmatians won her heart when she first read it as a child, and why it has gone on to do the same for generations of children since its first publication more than 60 years ago. Sara Ogilvie’s charismatic duotone illustrations heighten both the fun and energy of the story. Her Cruella is a perfect mix of the frightening and the ridiculous, and each doggy character is alive with individual personality: the mischievous Roly Poly, the tenacious Cadpig, and the adept Colonel, the sheepdog who is a ‘perfect master of strategy’. Endpapers inspired by a design from the first edition illustrate ‘The Twilight Barking’, Smith’s take on the canine evening news, and the binding design shows a pack of Dalmatians on the run while a haughty Cruella de Vil, decked out in her ‘absolutely simple white mink cloak’, sneers out from the spine. The slipcase, printed with signature Dalmatian spots, rounds off this joyful collector’s edition.
Published 2017 by The Folio Society
This is beautifully displayed. Love it.
Thank You!