Hélène Desputeaux (French: [elɛn depyto]; born July 10, 1959) is a Canadian educator, writer and illustrator from Quebec. With writer Christine L'Heureux, she created and illustrated the character Caillou, who has appeared in a series of children's books and a television series.[1][2]

Hélène Desputeaux
Born (1959-07-10) July 10, 1959 (age 65)
OccupationIllustrator
Notable workCaillou (1989–present)
SpouseMichel Aubin
Children2

Career

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Desputeaux has produced more than 100 children's books.[3] In 1995, she received the Médaille Raymond-Blais for her body of work.[1]

Desputeaux and the publisher Éditions Chouette went to court to resolve a dispute over the ownership of the Caillou character. A Quebec arbitrator found that the character was jointly owned. This decision was reversed by the Quebec Court of Appeal, which found that the arbitrator could not rule on the question of copyright, but the appeal court's ruling was overturned by the Supreme Court of Canada.[4]

Selected works

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Personal life

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Desputeaux married children's author Michel Aubin; they have two daughters.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c The Storymakers: Illustrating Children's Books : 72 snazzy artists and Illustrators Talk about Their Work. Canadian Children's Book Centre. 1999. pp. 46–47. ISBN 1551381079.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Helene Desputeaux". Robert Munsch. Guelph Public Library.
  3. ^ "Hélène Desputeaux". La charte des auteurs & des illustrateurs.
  4. ^ "Supreme Court of Canada Releases Decision Affecting Arbitration of IP Disputes". Deeth Williams Wall.