Boronia Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Goodbye Eric and Spot, we will miss you http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-11/spot-the-dog-creator-eric-hill-dies/5514822 Eric Hill, creator of Spot the Dog, dies aged 86 Photo: Eric Hill often referred to himself as "Spot's dad" (Westwood Creative Artists) Author and illustrator Eric Hill, the creator of much-loved children's book character Spot the Dog, has died age 86. He died at his home in California after a short illness, his publisher Puffin Books said in a statement posted online. "Eric Hill was a master of simple design," the head of the company's children's division, Francesca Dow, said. "He created one of the world's most loveable children's book characters - Spot, the charming, naughty, playful puppy, loved and appreciated across the world. "Eric's ingenious lift-the-flap device turned the reading of a Spot book into a glorious game of hide and seek, enjoyed by children and adults alike." Hill was born in North London, and cut his teeth as an illustrator while working as an errand boy in an arts studio. He went on to work in advertising, and created Spot a few years after the birth of his son Christopher in 1976. The Spot books have sold over 60 million copies around the world since the character debuted in Where's Spot? in 1980. Hill, who often referred to himself as "Spot's dad", was awarded an OBE for his services to children's literacy in 2008. He moved to the US with his family in the 1980s and is survived by his wife Gillian and two children, Christopher and Jane. Video: Where's Spot? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaCC Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Oh these were favourite books of mine as a child RIP Spot's Dad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simply Grand Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 Aww, how sweet that he called himself Spot's dad. RIP Eric. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlet Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 One of my children's first dog was named Sally after Spot's mum. I'm now reading Spot books to my grandchildren Such a wonderful legacy to leave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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