Eric Hill, who has died aged 86, was one of those unusual and fortunate people whose first book was not only an immediate success but also became a staple of children's bookshelves for decades. Where's Spot?, a simple lift-the-flap picture book with a lovable puppy at the heart of every picture, was published in 1980. Within weeks, it was a bestseller, taken to the hearts of pre-schoolers and their parents across Britain.
That immediate success was no flash in the pan: the many sequels that followed included Spot Goes to School (1984) and Spot Goes on Holiday (1985); Spot's adventures were translated into 60 languages; and sales figures topped 60m copies worldwide. And then there were award-winning adaptations for television and DVD, and all kinds of merchandising. More than 30 years later, Spot is a ubiquitous character who can be found on everything from stationery sets to bed linen, and is one of the most recognisable brands for young children.
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