The Dutch artist and children's author Dick Bruna has died at the age of 89. His much-loved cartoon rabbit Miffy has sold more than 80 million books since its creation in 1955.
The Dutch artist and children’s author Dick Bruna has died at the age of 89.
His much-loved cartoon rabbit Miffy has sold more than 80 million books since its creation in 1955.
BREAKING: Dick Bruna, the creator of cartoon white rabbit Miffy, has died in his sleep aged 89 https://t.co/HfQYawpNREpic.twitter.com/zq1KyAzZNK
— Daily Mirror (@DailyMirror) February 17, 2017
Miffy
Bruna created the character to entertain his infant son after seeing a rabbit in the dunes while on holiday at the seaside.
He went on to relate the giant-eared, orange pullover-wearing bunny’s adventures in more than 30 books that were sold worldwide.
Miffy, known as Nijntje in Dutch, was his best-known creation.
A sad day for Miffy fans everywhere as Dutch children’s author Dick Bruna dies at the age of 89 #Miffy#DickBrunapic.twitter.com/fRvAVHhLZm
— World Book Day UK (@WorldBookDayUK) February 17, 2017
James Bond and Maigret
Born in 1929 into a family of publishers, Bruna began his career as an illustrator of covers for books including Ian Fleming’s James Bond series and the Inspector Maigret thrillers of Georges Simenon.