Rodney Peppé

Rodney (Darrell) Peppé (born 24 June 1934 in Eastbourne, England) is a British author and illustrator in the children's fiction and crafts genres. He is the author and illustrator of more than 80 children’s books, publishing his first children’s book in 1968 The Alphabet Book with Constable Young Books. His craft books teach how to build mechanical toys and automata.

While he creates toys and automata, Rodney Peppé does not sell his creations; his works have been on display in various museums and on tour in his one-man show The Wonderful World of Rodney Peppé.

Early life

Born on 24 June 1934 in Eastbourne, England, Rodney Peppé is the twin brother of Mark and son of Lionel Hill Peppé and Winifred Vivienne (Parry). Although born in Eastbourne, due to the career of Lionel in the British Royal Navy and Royal Indian Navy the family lived in India near the Himalaya Mountains during the children's early years. In 1942 when Vivienne returned with the twins to Eastbourne, Rodney and his brother Mark were enrolled in boarding school at St Bede's School, Sussex.