about

R. W. stands for Robert Whitlock. But, please, call me Bob.

I’ve been making pictures as long as I can remember. They have always told stories. For me, that’s the best part of any picture; the narrative implied by the scene (what’s around the bend?), the characters (are they going or coming?), the technique (calm and static or staccato and animated?). Illustrated books are the perfect format for exploring all this. I’ve had the good fortune to illustrate the narratives in well over one hundred books by a wide variety of authors. I’ve also written and illustrated several titles of my own, which is a completely different experience, in a good way!

Currently, I’m busy writing and illustrating the various occupations of a cheerful anthropomorphic community in the new series Breezy Valley at Work. It’s a lot of fun. I’m working with local human professionals to get all the job details exactly right. FIREFIGHTERS TO THE RESCUE! (2023) was followed by HOSPITAL HEROES SAVE THE DAY! (2024), which will be followed by CONSTRUCTION CREWS BUILD BIG! (June, 2026). With more books to come?

When not making books, I like taking bumbling driving trips near and far that usual involve book stores, art galleries and antique shops. At home, I enjoy making pasta from scratch and daydreaming about a grand model railroad that, honestly, will never be completed, much less truly begun. Recently I’ve been learning about bonsai trees. I find it all very relaxing, although I’m not sure the trees would agree. They live in constant fear of either too much or too little water. Experience would indicate this is not a groundless worry.

Home is Rhode Island, with my charming wife, author Zoë B. Alley. (She says it’s okay to call her Zoë.) Our two children are out in the world in New York City and Los Angeles; both excellent places to visit, which we try to do often. Good bookstores, too!

There’s bit more info on my Wiki Page.

Interviews:

Video and print interviews, edited April, 2026…

•  PBS NEWSHOUR April 14, 2026, Illustrator R.W. Alley on how he brings Paddington Bear to life & Paddington’s Holocaust origins
• Story Monster Ink Magazine 2024, a discussion of my ongoing Breezy Valley Series, FIREFIGHTERS TO THE RESCUE! and Paddington.
• Mark Patinkin in the Providence Journal 2024, an interview about my drawings for Paddington and drawing in general.
• Shelf Awareness 2023, an introduction Breezy Valley featuring the backstory of FIREFIGHTERS TO THE RESCUE!
• School Library Journal Picture Book Palooza Studio Spotlight, in which I talk about FIREFIGHTERS TO THE RESCUE! and do some drawing.
• Graphic Artists Guild Spotlight, in which I talk about my adventures as an illustrator of children’s books in general.
• Open Studio, WGBH TV, Boston, with host Jared Bowen, an interview set at the Eric Carle Museum’s Paddington Comes to America exhibit.
• Paddington at 60, from Forbes on line, celebrating the 2018 decade birthday of the little bear from Darkest Peru.
• Drawing Paddington, during a visit to Yottoy, makers of many fine plush toys, including Paddington, captured by NY1.
• Lambiek Comiclopedia (from the famous comics shop in Amsterdam), focusing on comic panel picture books from Tanglealley Press.
• Cake Wars, 2016, (season 4, episode 11) just for fun!

Awards:

Over the years, my books have received many awards and been included in many yearly best of lists.  Here’s a sampling…

• Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book
• Best Children’s Book, Washington Post
• Best Graphic Novel, School Library Journal Online
• Winner of the Rhode Island Mock Caldecott Award
• Teachers’ Choice Award for Children’s Books
• Teachers’ Choice Award for the Family
• Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Book Award
• Shortlisted as a Finalist for the online Cybil Awards
• Shortlisted for Dahl Funny Prize

multiple book selections:

• ALA Notable Book for Children
• Bank Street Best Book of the Year
• Notable Children’s Books in the Language Arts
• Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
• Reading Rainbow
• Junior Library Guild
• Booklist Top Ten Easy Reader
• Notable Children’s Books in the Language Arts
• Children’s Book of the Month Club
• Reading Rocket