ParentsDeathbooksAuthors

Dick Bruna, Author Of Children's Books 'Miffy', Dies Aged 89

He died peacefully in his sleep.
By 

Life editor at HuffPost UK

Dick Bruna, the author of the children’s books and much-loved character ‘Miffy’, has died at the age of 89.

Bruna reportedly died in his sleep at home in Utrecht, Holland, on Thursday 16 February.

The author sold more than 80 million ‘Miffy’ books in his lifetime. 

Open Image Modal
Martin Godwin via Getty Images

Bruna had not been seen in public for several years. He brought out the last book about Miffy in 2011.

His well-loved stories had been translated into over 50 languages, since the first one was published in 1955.    

Open Image Modal
Martin Godwin via Getty Images

Bruna created the much-loved character to entertain his young son but never realised it would turn into the phenomenon it is today.

He wrote more than 100 other books, but Miffy remained the most popular character by far. 

Before You Go

Nostalgic Books From Different Decades
My Naughty Little Sister by Shirley Hughes (1959)(01 of19)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Egmont)
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster (1961)(02 of19)
Open Image Modal
(credit:HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks)
Charlie and The Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl (1964)(03 of19)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Puffin)
The Tiger Who Came To Tea by Judith Kerr (1968)(04 of19)
Open Image Modal
(credit:HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks)
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle (1969)(05 of19)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Puffin; New Ed edition)
Fantastic Mr Fox by Roald Dahl (1970)(06 of19)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Puffin)
Mog the Forgetful Cat by Judith Kerr (197(07 of19)
Open Image Modal
(credit:HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks)
Mr Men Collection by Roger Hargreaves (starting from 1971)(08 of19)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Egmont)
The Neverending Story by Michael Ende (1979)(09 of19)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Puffin Books)
Willy Visits The Square World by Derek Matthews and Jeffrey Archer (1980)(10 of19)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Reed Dump)
The Nancy Drew Files by Edward Stratemeyer (starting 1980)(11 of19)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Pocket Books)
Where's Spot? by Eric Hill (1983)(12 of19)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Puffin)
Five Minutes' Peace Jill Murphy (1986)(13 of19)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Walker; 25th Anniversary edition edition)
The Market Square Dog by James Herriot (1989)(14 of19)
Open Image Modal
(credit:St Martins Pr)
The Blue Balloon by Mick Inkpen (1989)(15 of19)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Hodder Children's Books)
Esio Trot by Roald Dahl (1990)(16 of19)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Puffin)
I've Forgotten Edward by Susan Hill (1990)(17 of19)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Sainsbury/Walker Books)
Oh, the Places You'll Go by Dr Seuss (1994)(18 of19)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Random House)
The Whales' Song by Dyan Sheldon (1996)(19 of19)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Red Fox)

Related

DeathbooksAuthorschildren's authors
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip