Celebrating May Gibbs: Treasured Australian Children’s Illustrator, Author and Artist
May Gibbs’ enchanting artwork has graced collaborations with some of Australia’s
most esteemed brands — including Peter Alexander, Erstwilder, Kip & Co, Spotlight / Nerida Hansen Fabrics, Urban Road, Romance Was Born and Tara Treasures. We are privileged to now stand alongside them, presenting a collection that celebrates her legacy in a truly distinctive way for pet parents to enjoy.
As long-time admirers of her whimsical world, this collaboration is nothing short of a dream come true. From childhood memories of spending school holidays at the mobile library, poring over the pages of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, to later years collecting her artwork and decorative homewares, May Gibbs has always held a special place in my life. When my daughter was born, her rompers, dresses and nursery soon became filled with Gibbs’ enchanting characters.
It has long been my vision to see our dog beds, blankets and couch covers infused with her storytelling charm — and I know many pet parents will feel the same connection. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at May Gibbs herself: her life as an artist, illustrator and author, and the inspiration behind the beloved Gumnut Babies and the many other characters she brought to life.
The Life and Legacy of May Gibbs
Cecilia May Gibbs (1877–1969) was one of Australia’s most iconic children’s illustrators, artists and authors. She grew up surrounded by creativity and the Australian bush after emigrating to Australia at the age of four. From an early age she showed remarkable talent, winning her first art prize at just 15 for a painting of Western Australian wildflowers.
Eager to refine her craft, she studied in London, developing skills in illustration, design and fine art. Returning to Australia, her versatility soon earned her commissions for newspapers, magazines and publishing houses. Embracing the spirit of the “modern woman,” she also contributed striking illustrations to The Common Cause, a leading suffragette journal, lending her artistry to a movement shaping the future.
May’s work resonated deeply with Australians. During World War I, she created illustrated postcards tucked into Red Cross parcels bound for troops overseas, carrying messages of love and comfort from home. She continued to charm the nation with her illustrations, producing her iconic gumleaf bookmark alongside calendars, pictures and postcards.
After establishing her name as an illustrator, she turned to writing. Her beloved bush characters — the Gumnut Babies, Snugglepot and Cuddlepie — secured her place in the nation’s heart. With whimsical detail, she transformed Australian flora and fauna into enchanting tales that delighted both children and adults. Her iconic book Tales of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie has never gone out of print since its publication in 1918. With its opening inscription, “Humans, please be kind to all bush creatures and don’t pull up flowers by the roots,” she was made a life member of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Beyond children’s literature, May also broke new ground as Australia’s first female cartoonist. Her Bib and Bub comic strip, launched in 1924, became the nation’s longest-running strip, entertaining readers for over four decades. In 1955, she was appointed a Member of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition of her outstanding contribution to children’s literature. Today, May Gibbs remains one of Australia’s most treasured storytellers, her art inspiring new generations while reminding us of the beauty, humour and imagination rooted in the bush.
Scotty the Scottish Terrier
May Gibbs’ love for Scottish Terriers is beautifully reflected in her character Scotty, the spirited little dog who stars in Scotty in Gumnut Land. In this story, Scotty runs away from home and embarks on an adventure through the bush, meeting many of Gibbs’ most beloved characters — Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, Bib and Bub, Ragged Blossom, Tiggy Touchwood, Old Bill, and Mr and Mrs Bear. Scotty also appears in Mr and Mrs Bear and Friends, and his presence is a charming reminder of May Gibbs’ own fondness for her real-life Scotty dog companions at Nutcote, who often appeared in her illustrations.
A Collaboration Close to Our Hearts
May Gibbs’ ability to capture the spirit of Australia and weave it into art is what makes this collaboration so special to us. We share her belief that design can bring joy, spark imagination and create comfort in everyday life.
This collection pays tribute to one of Australia’s most beloved artists while inviting pet parents to bring her enchanting world into their homes. In addition to her artworks, May Gibbs left her legacy and the copyright of her works to Northcott and the Cerebral Palsy Alliance, ensuring ongoing support and services for people with disabilities across Australia. We are proud to collaborate with such an iconic Australian artist, and to do so in support of these remarkable organisations.
For more information visit www.maygibbs.org and www.maygibbs.com.au
© The Northcott Society and Cerebral Palsy Alliance 2025
