Carrying the Torch: Keeping a Character Alive

The other day I was reading Fred and Ted’s Road Trip, when I noticed something – the name on the cover of the book was Peter Eastman, not P.D. Eastman.

I had assumed the book was written by P.D., author/illustrator of classics Go, Dog, Go!, but Fred and Ted is the creation of Eastman’s son.

While Fred and Ted’s Road Trip isn’t a Go, Dog, Go! sequel, it certainly has a similar look and spirit. It made me think of other instances of family members keeping a well-known character/style alive. Here are the cases I can think of.

Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parrish

This series about The Most Literal Woman in the World continues on (in a few variations) with nephew Herman Parish at the helm:

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The Berenstain Bears by Stan and Jan Berenstain

This series about the family of bears who live down a sunny dirt road deep in bear country was originally written and illustrated by husband and wife Jan and Stan Berenstain. It went through a period when son Mike Berenstain joined them, then a period where it was Jan and Mike. Now that both Jan and Stan have passed away, the series lives on solely through Mike.

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Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans

This series about the little girl from Paris was originally written and illustrated by Ludwig Bemelmans. Grandson John Bemelmans Marciano is now at the helm.

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Babar by Jean de Brunhoff

The human-esque elephant first brought to life by Jean de Brunhoff is still around, with new adventures by son Laurent de Brunhoff

I’m sure I’m missing some – let’s hear it in the comments.

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