Rufus

Tomi Ungerer (1931-2019) is a legend in the world of children’s books. Born in Strasbourg in 1931, Tomi landed in New York in 1956 with $60 in his pocket and with a suitcase full of drawings. Overnight he became a star as a caricaturist, illustrator, and children’s book author. He published more than 140 books for children and for adults in his prolific life. Tomi is a winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Award, the highest achievable international award for children’s literature, and was named Ambassador for Childhood and Education by the Council of Europe in 2003. The Musée Tomi Ungerer, a museum devoted exclusively to his work, opened in 2007 in Strasbourg, France. Tomi passed away in 2019 but up until his death he continued to create new art every day, and write stories in three languages – English, French, and German!

"Delightful... With their old–fashioned charm, timeless storytelling, and irresistible humor, the books are destined to win over new generation of readers." —School Library Journal, on Tomi Ungerer"If you look at the work of Tomi Ungerer, it's passionate, it's personal, it's marvellous and it's cuckoo, and it's that kind of variety that's always made for good children's literature." —Maurice Sendak, The New York Times, on Tomi Ungerer"The kind of inventive story that will have kids asking for repeated readings." —Karen MacPherson, Scripps Howard News Service on Tomi Ungerer"Rufus: The Bat Who Loved Colors (just reissued by Phaidon) has been flapping around winning hearts since it was first published in 1961." —Shelf Awareness"Another brilliant reprint of a Tomi Ungerer classic." —UrbanFamily"Sweet, briefly dramatic and sad, and ultimately as wonderful as it was the first time... Some stories never get old." —Publishers Weekly Online"Rufus is a great example of what we should all strive for ourselves and help every child feel, a sense of empowering self-acceptance."—The Reading Ninja"This classic story of difference and acceptance is still relevant today."— Carousel"Strong, simple and effective illustrations and book layout support a story made for discussion."—Portland Book Review