Saturday, August 21, 2010

23rd August Dick Bruna (1927)




Dick Bruna is a phenomenal Dutch author and illustrator. He is responsible for over one hundred picture books and even more book covers and posters for adults. His children's books have sold over 85 million copies and been translated into 50 languages. He is best known for Miffy a small white rabbit that he invented while on holiday in 1953. The first Miffy book was published in 1955. He has a very distinct and recognisable style. His books are usually small and square in shape, they feature heavy black lines, simple shapes, a limited number of primary colours, and they are planed back to the bare essentials. Bruna has said, "When I make a book, I make it for the child and not the parent - no jokes in it for the parents." I guess that's why I always found them hard to read night after night! There is a very short, but interesting documentary about him on Youtube and a whole website devoted to Miffy. It is particularly good as there is a part that reads the stories to the child while they follow the text.

No comments:

Post a Comment