Alice, Curiouser and Curiouser

Explore the phenomenon of Alice in Wonderland, which has captivated readers from Walt Disney to Tim Burton for over 150 years

Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland is a cultural phenomenon. First published in 1865, it has never been out of print and has been translated into 170 languages. But why does it have such enduring and universal appeal for both adults and children?

Beginning by plunging the reader into the spectacular new wonderland of acclaimed illustrator Kristjana J. Williams, Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser goes on to explore how Lewis Carroll’s celebrated Alice books have fueled creative minds for over 150 years. This unique publication takes us on a journey whose scope ranges from art, literature, theatre and film through science and technology to fashion and politics, encouraging us to ask whether we should all try to be more like Alice.

Kate Bailey is senior curator of design and scenography, and Simon Sladen is senior curator of modern and contemporary performance, in the theatre and performance department at the V&A. Kristjana S. Williams is an Icelandic-born illustrator based in London. She has won numerous awards and has over 16,000 followers on Instagram.