William Pène du Bois
(1916 - 1993)
William Pène du Bois was an American author and illustrator. He is best known for The Twenty-One Balloons, published in April 1947 by The Viking Press. From 1953 to 1960, he worked with George Plimpton as the Art Editor for The Paris Review.
He died of a stroke on February 5, 1993, in Nice, France.
Bibliography
The Mousewife (1951)
The Mousewife befriends a turtledove in a cage who tells her about the world outside. She learns what it is to fly and sees the stars. Based on a story by Dorothy Wordsworth, sister to the poet.
Moving Day (1976)
A little girl and her family move to a new house. Don’t forget to bring Bear.
Read online at archive.org.
My Brother Bird (1954)
The Bennett family welcomes a pigeon into their midst.
My Grandson Lew (1974)
Lew remembers his grandfather who came to stay when his parents were away.
The Night Book (1985)
A little girl discovers the beauty of the night.
Otto and the Magic Potatoes (1970)
Otto the giant otter hound and his friend Duke are on vacation. Otto finds a use for Baron Backgammon’s giant potatoes and saves the Village of Backgammon.
Otto at Sea (1936)
While on a goodwill trip to America, Otto the giant otterhound saves the passengers and crew of the good ship Caesar and earns his second medal.
Otto at Sea (1958)
While on a goodwill trip to America, Otto, the giant otterhound saves the passengers and crew of the good ship Caesar and earns his second medal.William Pène du Bois has drawn new illustrations for this edition.
Otto in Africa (1961)
William Pène du Bois has drawn new illustrations for Otto’s first adventure, in which he defeats Abou the Fierce and his one hundred seventy bandits. Read online at archive.org.
Otto in Texas (1959)
Giant Otto and his friend Duke pay a visit to Texas. Otto unearths a gang of rustlers and earns a Texas sized medal.
The Owl and the Pussy Cat (1961)
The Owl and the Pussy-Cat set out to sea with some honey and plenty of money, but where is the ring and the runcible spoon?
Peter Graves (1950)
After Peter Graves (accidentally) destroys Houghton Furlong’s home, he feels an obligation to help him rebuild it. The fun begins when Peter starts thinking up ways to use the fabulous antigravity alloy, Furloy.
Read online at archive.org.
The Planet of Lost Things (1982)
Luke travels in his spaceship to the planet where all the lost things go.
The Poison Belt (1964)
Professor Challenger, back from his exploration of The Lost World, discovers that the Earth is about to pass through a poisonous belt of gas, with possibly disastrous consequences.
Porko Von Popbutton (1969)
Pat O’Sullivan Pinkerton is appointed manager of the hockey team but what he really wants is to play goalie and “Beat the Queen!”
Pretty, Pretty Peggy Moffitt (1968)
Pretty Pretty Peggy Moffit spends so much time looking at herself that she is constantly falling down, bumping into things and injuring herself. Is this any way to become a movie star?
The Rabbit’s Umbrella (1955)
This is the story of a streetcar, a thimble factory, a gang of robbers, a boy who wanted a dog, and a rabbit with an umbrella.
The Runaway Flying Horse (1976)
The little carousel horse decides to try his luck in the world, but decides his true place is with the carousel.
Read online at archive.org.
Seal Pool (1972)
The seals were basking when Lucas took his little sister Sara to the Seal Pool. Dr. Frederick Fluke, amateur zoologist explains that they are protecting their friend the Great Auk.
Read online at archive.org.
The Short Reign of Pipin IV: A Fabrication (1957)
The French decide to re-institute a monarchy and select Pippin Arnulf Heristal, a retired astronomer and hereditary heir to the throne, to fill the role.