(View entire post here)
Eric Hill, the creator of the Spot books, including Where's Spot? (G.P. Putnam's Sons) has received an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for services to children's literature.
He will be given the honor by the Queen of England in a ceremony in February and will be in the company of other notable honorees including singer Kylie Minogue, actor Sir Ian McKellen, and children's author Jacqueline Wilson among others.
Eric said: "I am absolutely thrilled and delighted to have received an OBE. Spot has been a huge part of my life for over 25 years and I still very much enjoy the creative process. To be honoured for something that has given me so much pleasure is quite overwhelming."
Spot first appeared in Eric's first book, ‘Where's Spot?' (G.P. Putnam's Sons) in 1980 and quickly became one of the best-loved pre-school characters of all time. Today Spot's adventures remain incredibly popular and are enjoyed around the world by millions of fans including Jude Law, Melanie Sykes and Gail Porter.
About Eric Hill and Spot
Eric Hill was born on 7th September, 1927 in London. At 16 he joined an art studio as a messenger, where he was encouraged to draw cartoons in his spare time. He particularly enjoyed drawing aircraft, and it was the markings of planes that later came to influence the design of Spot, reflected in the spots on his body and the tip of his tail. A variety of illustration and design appointments followed before Eric decided to become a freelance illustrator and gradually returned to being an artist.
Spot was born as a bedtime story about the adventures of a small puppy for his son, Christopher. The design of the books was inspired by an advertising flyer Eric had devised involving a flap covering an amusing picture. When Eric showed this to Christopher he saw how responsive he was to the idea and incorporated it into his book. Although initially created just as a story to please his son, Where's Spot? was published as a children's book in 1980 and started a new publishing concept of ‘interactive books for babies'. The innovative lift-the-flap concept, combined with the simple story and quirky, charming illustrations, helped Where's Spot? become an instant hit with young children.
With Spot book sales reaching 50 million worldwide and his stories now translated into 60 languages, Eric Hill is a publishing phenomenon. Spot expanded from the original lift-the-flap books to interactive storybooks, sound books, audio books, and an animated series on DVD. Spot's first fans, who are now having families of their own, can enjoy Spot with their children, confirming his place as a modern classic.
Eric Hill and his wife, Gillian, divide their time between California and France and have a collection of pets who continue to provide inspiration for the Spot stories.
Eric Hill, 
Where's Spot, 
OBE, 
Order of the British Empire, 
children's literature, 
awards, 
Queen of England, 
Penguin Books, 
books
