Illustrator much-loved for his stories of gentle gorillas succeeds Michael Rosen as national champion of children's literature

At once ordinary and mysterious ... A picture from Anthony Browne's 1999 book Voices in the Park. Photograph: AET Browne

You don't have to notice the references to Magritte, Rousseau or Van Gogh to realise that the new children's laureate is a genius. It shines out from every page

Anthony Browne has said that he identifies with his character Willy the chimpanzee, who takes centre stage here in his picture book Willy and Hugh. Willy, pictured, is lonely in a world of gorillas - until he bumps into the huge gorilla Hugh, who quickly becomes his friend

Browne was moved to write My Dad - a sunny tribute to his father - after discovering his old dressing gown on a hanger