SPOTTED: Gruffalo on board! Storybook illustrator surprises Red Funnel passengers with an impromptu book signing to celebrate Isle of Wight Story Festival

Award-winning and internationally acclaimed illustrator of ‘The Gruffalo’ storybook series, Axel Scheffler, was spotted on board Red Funnel’s Red Jet service last weekend, travelling to the Island for the annual Isle of Wight Story Festival.

Axel delighted passengers with a surprise book signing, handing out free copies of the best-selling children’s book series to families on board. The captain confirmed that the Gruffalo didn’t get up to any mischief during the sailing and stayed firmly within the pages of the storybook for everyone to enjoy.

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Notes to editors

About Red Funnel
Red Funnel is the original Isle of Wight ferry company with roots tracing back to 1820. Based in the UK port of Southampton, Red Funnel carries 2.3m passengers and over 800,000 vehicles on its ferry route between the UK port of Southampton and East Cowes and 1.1m passengers between Southampton and West Cowes on its Red Jet Hi-Speed service.

In addition to ferry travel, Red Funnel is the only cross-Solent operator to offer ferry inclusive bonded holiday accommodation, attraction tickets, festival and event tickets and activity packages. Sub-brands include ‘Red Jet’ (the Hi-Speed passenger only ferry service serving West Cowes) and its on board café, ‘ReFuel’.

The Company is a founder member of Visit Isle of Wight Ltd, the Island’s not for profit destination management organisation and Red Funnel sponsors or supports most of the Island’s premier events including the IW Festival, Cowes Week, Rhythm Tree, The Great Wonderfest, Wight Proms, Cowes Classics, and Walk the Wight as well as a range of community and niche interest events. Red Funnel’s Charity of the Year, 2021 is Isle of Wight Independent Lifeboats.

For more information, visit www.redfunnel.co.uk