The creator of the tandem of endearing children and kings of stupidity in children's comics, died on Tuesday November 20 at the age of 83.
Bernadette Després, the creator of the famous characters Tom-Tom and Nana, died on November 20 at the age of 83, announced Bayard editions. These two bickering people, who first appeared in 1977 in the magazine I like to readquickly won the hearts of young readers. The series of 371 stories, born under the brush of Bernadette Després and based on the scripts of Jacqueline Cohen and Évelyne Reberg, has become a true publishing phenomenon. With her unique talent, Bernadette Després left her mark on an entire generation. His departure leaves a big void in the world of children's comics.
His children for inspiration
With 15 million copies sold, the series Tom-Tom and Nana have left their mark on generations of children. The main characters were directly inspired by the children of Bernadette Després: Nana was modeled on her daughter, while Tom-Tom took on the features of his son Étienne. The first name Tom-Tom also came from the nickname of the son of a friend of Jacqueline Cohen, the screenwriter, while Nana was that of the latter's own daughter. Established for 50 years in Givraines, in the Loiret, Bernadette Després drew her inspiration to create The Good Forkthe famous restaurant of Dubouchonwhere she will set her story and her characters. It is in this family and universal framework, between bickering, children's games, school and outings with friends, that the adventures of Tom-Tom and Nana.
In 2019, Bernadette Després was honored at the Angoulême Festival, which dedicated a major exhibition to her. The following year, she was elevated to the rank of knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honor, rewarding her 56-year career and her major contribution to children's illustration.
Bayard/ FIBD 2019
The adventures of Tom-Tom and Nana ended in 2009, when Jacqueline Cohen stopped writing their stories, much to the regret of Bernadette Després. “I would have liked to continue drawing. Tom-Tom and Nana were such a joy. I never got tired of it”she confided in 2019 in The World. Employed by the Bayard Presse group, owner of I like to readBernadette Després represented a probably unique case in the world of comics. Until her death, she shared her passion for drawing and illustration with visitors of all ages, welcomed to her house in Givraines.
