Apparently this week is Children’s Book Week, so I thought I’d write about my all-time favorite children’s book illustrator, Dick Bruna. Anyone studying illustration or graphic design should be familiar with his amazing work. The Dutch artist manages to take a drawing to its essence of line and color, creating brilliant work with zen-like simplicity. My kids love Miffy and I myself have fond memories of his work from my childhood.
This well-loved copy of b is for bear belonged to me and the images are forever etched into my brain. Can you see that I wrote my name on the cover and tried to color the bear purple? This book is sadly out of print now, but you can see the emphasis on simplicity here. Read this interesting article for more about his process. I especially love the way he talks about whittling down his drawings to their bare essence by removing details like Miffy’s tears. His spartan lifestyle reflects his art. And who wouldn’t want a husband that makes you a glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice and a drawing every morning?
Pictured below are the “L” and “O” pages from the book.
I also had a copy of Snuffy, in which Bruna manages to tell a heart-wrenching story of a lost child found by a puppy with minimal words and details. My original copy was apparently loved to death, but I was able to find a new one. My seven-year-old read this book to my younger daughter’s class last week.
And then I bought the girls a vintage copy of Cinderella with sweet drawings of Cinderella in a simple yellow frock. And look at those stepsisters! I love the symmetry of that image. I think that all three of these books might be hard to find now, but there are plenty of Dick Bruna books that are available and the Miffy franchise remains popular. And take a look at the Miffy website for games and activities.
Delurking… I’m Dutch and so proud you like “our” Dick Bruna. Miffy is called “Nijntje” in Dutch (Rabbit like a toddler would say it).
The drawings are deceivingly simple, have you ever tried reproducing one?
Wow, I have a couple of Dick Bruna books for my kids (Nativity book with little puppets!) but I’m having flashbacks seeing these pictures. I didn’t remember reading these books as a kid but I totally remember Snuffy and Cinderella! Wow, I’m all gooey eyed now, smothered in nostalgia!
Wooo!!! Memories!!! I had that alphabet book and read it to bits!!! When the book finally disintegrated my mom stuck the entire alphabet above my bed – to love and peruse!!! I wonder what happened to it… My kids read my Miffy books – my favorite is Miffy’s birthday, I just loved her gifts and always wanted exactly the same for my birthday!! Thanks so much for the trip down memory lane!!!
I had a few Dick Bruna books when I was a child and my mum still has them and reads them to my children and nephews and nieces. It’s lovely to see the delight his work brings to the next generation.
I had no idea that the creator behind Miffy had books too. Miffy is the sweetest little bunny (I had the theme song in my head while reading your post). Thanks for sharing some of his books, and how much you like them.
We love Miffy! My family is Dutch (though I am Canadian) and whenever family comes I beg them for Miffy books/toys/etc for my own kids. I’ll have to keep my eyes open for some of his other titles!
I’m not familiar with this author, but I do like the illustrations. I wonder if I can find them at the library with the kids.
There’s a series on BBC called ‘Modern Masters’ at the moment. Dick Bruna was on it talking about how he was influenced by Matisse. It was very interesting, and I now want to read lots of Miffy books.
I saw him on the programme and thought of your post as I’d only read it the day before.
Thanks for sharing your love of Dick Bruna and Miffy. I have wonderful memories of reading Miffy books when I was little and love reading the few I have to my kids. The picture of the birds in Snuffy is my favorite.
Thank you for posting this. I love Miffy and I have a copy of Cinderella from when I was growing up but never thought about researching who wrote them. I love these books!
I absolutely love Miffy. I loved the books as a child and my daughter has lots too. I have a Miffy keyring and my daughter has Miffy bags, posters, money boxes etc. The pictures are just so cool and timeless.
what fantastic and simple illustrations. Loving these books! need to look into them.
I loved this book and used to trace the pictures and then sell then to my Grandma for 5 cents each! A win-win business deal.
Thanks for these pictures. I haven’t thought about Dick Bruna books since I was a little girl. Seeing his pictures again brought back happy memories.
At the thrift store today I found Miffy’s Birthday. Thank you for your post otherwise I would not have know what a gem I was getting for 59 cents.