Illustrator Diane Le Feyer joined the beloved French children’s book franchise Mortelle Adèle in 2019, taking over the visual direction from Miss Prickly starting from the eighth volume. The series, originally launched by author Antoine Dole (known professionally as Mr. Tan) in 2012, has sold over 30 million copies worldwide. Le Feyer notes that she approached the role with humility, recognizing the strong connection the young readership has with the characters. She discovered that the fanbase is extremely engaged, often appearing at signings in costume, a level of immediate reader interaction she had not experienced in her previous work in animation and video games abroad. [1]
Le Feyer describes the character of Adèle as an antithesis to her own childhood self. Where she was shy and restrained, Adèle is bold and expressive, offering a therapeutic model for both children and adults. She argues that strong female protagonists were missing from youth literature, providing a crucial role model that encourages girls and teaches boys that it is acceptable to enjoy stories centered on female heroes. Adèle acts as a pressure valve for children, allowing them a space to express themselves and escape the anxieties of the modern world through imaginative play. [1]
The illustrator emphasizes the importance of validating any form of reading, whether it be graphic novels, manga, or traditional books. She points out that while reading can be daunting, engaging content like Mortelle Adèle helps children develop vocabulary, imagination, and humor. The franchise itself tests the boundaries of genre, with recent titles like 'Mortelle Adèle and the Paper Mazes' incorporating elements of crime fiction, science fiction, historical novels, and self-help guides. Le Feyer enjoys the challenge of visually representing these different literary codes, particularly her passion for sci-fi aesthetics and cosmic environments. [1]
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