Peter Woolcock had a prolific career as a children’s illustrator and Disney cartoonist, but for fans of his renowned political series Woppened it may be news to them.

The self-taught artist spent 38 years at Amalgamated Press in London, creating comic strips and illustrations, also working on Disneyland comic in the 1970s.

It wasn’t until 1983 that he began his career as a political cartoonist at the Bermuda Sun and The Royal Gazette.

Those who have been buying Woppened for 25 years can now add to their collection after the launch of Woolcock’s Wonders at the Bermuda National Gallery (BNG) yesterday.

The book includes illustrations from his unpublished children’s books, a series of illustrated nursery rhymes and A New Bestiary — a rhyming encyclopaedia of fantastical beings.

It acts as a prelude to the January exhibition, where visitors will have the opportunity to purchase the framed originals at auction.

“It’s a very different angle for us,” said Lisa Howie, gallery director, explaining that the exhibited works will chronicle his journey as an artist.

His daughter Diana Andrew donated many of the drawings, some reaching as far back as when Mr Woolcock was 15 years old.

There with granddaughter Talia — Mr Woolcock’s great-granddaughter — Mrs Andrew said: “This will be something people here have never seen before, but his children’s work is something my brother [Robin Woolcock] and I grew up with.

“Dad drew during our childhood and we took his talent so much for granted.

“Because don’t all fathers draw like this?

“It wasn’t until later and even after his death that I truly appreciated the level of his talent.”

Mr Woolcock did get to meet his youngest grandchild — passing a month after she was born. He had two other grandchildren, Charis and Eve, in England.

“I can’t speak more highly of the National Gallery,” Mrs Andrew said, adding: “Sophie [Cressall] and Lisa have brought his artwork to life and made him live on.

“It really is a retrospective of his life.”

Sir John Swan was one of the first to pick up a copy of the book, where he is quoted in its introduction.

The former Premier wrote: “There has never been any malice in his work — just a good-natured sense of fun that is tempered with an intuitive social conscience.

“He captured and documented a moment in Bermuda’s political and social history that was revolutionary.

“One could say that Peter’s satirical cartoons paved the direction of our politics.”