Dick Bruna ​

Hendrik Magdalenus "Dick" Bruna was a Dutch author, artist, illustrator, and graphic designer, best known for his children's books, which he authored and illustrated. Bruna's most notable creation is Miffy, a small rabbit continually featured in his series of 124 picture books.

Quick Facts ​

• Creator of the iconic children's character, Miffy.
• Over 85 million copies of his books have been sold all over the world.
• His works have been translated into over 50 languages.
• In total he wrote over 120 picture books.
• An animated TV series based on his books was produced.

Background ​

Bruna was born in 1927 in Utrecht, Netherlands. He was the eldest of four children in his family. His father, Albertus Hendrikus Bruna, was a publisher of children's literature. Bruna attended elementary school in Utrecht and secondary school in Arnhem. During World War II, he and his family had to hide from the Germans. After the war, he worked as a cartoonist for the Amsterdam newspaper Het Parool. In 1955, he created his first children's book, The Apple, which was published by his father's company, A.W. Bruna & Zoon. His most well-known creation is Miffy, a small rabbit drawn with heavy graphic lines, simple shapes and primary colors. Bruna's books have been translated into more than 50 languages and sold over 85 million copies worldwide. He passed away in 2017 at the age of 89.

Writing Style and Impact ​

Bruna was known for his minimalist and clean writing and illustrative style. Writing primarily for children, he created the globally popular character Miffy, a small rabbit. His work was straightforward with a calming cadence, focusing on simple stories that could be easily understood by young readers. His books often addressed complex issues subtly, introducing young readers to themes such as death and sadness, leaving a remarkable impact on children's literature.

Notable Works ​

• Miffy (1955)
• The Three Bears (1961)
• Miffy at the Zoo (1963)
• Miffy in the Snow (1963)
• Miffy's Dream (1982)