René Guillot

René Guillot (1900 – March 26, 1969, in Paris, France) was a French children's author who lived, worked and travelled in French Africa.

After studying science, he moved to Senegal to work as a teacher, spending over 20 years in Africa. Most of the material for his many books comes from this time.

His books include "Kpo the Leopard," "The King of Cats," "Sirga: Queen of the African Bush," and "Oworo."

"Kpo the Leopard" was published in 1955 and was also included in "The Hamish Hamilton Book of Wise Animals," edited by Eilis Dillon, illustrated by Bernard Brett (Hamish Hamilton, London, 1975. ISBN 0241021561), together with pieces featuring "fabulous animals" such as Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven," E. Nesbit's "Psammead," T. S. Eliot's "Mr. Mistoffelees," and "Rollicum Bitem the Fox" by John Masefield.

In 1964, he received a literary award for "Fodai and the Leopard-Men." This was the Hans Christian Andersen Award, sometimes known as the "Little Nobel Prize", named after the famous Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. It is the highest international recognition given to an author (and an illustrator) of children's books, and is awarded every two years.

Two films, (both directed by Patrick Grandperret) have been made from Guillot's children's books:L'Enfant Lion ("The Lion Child") ~ 1993, based on Guillot's "Sirga the Lioness," and Le Maître des éléphants ("The Elephant Master") ~ 1995.

A live-action version of "Little Dog Lost" featuring a Welsh Corgi, was made for the "Disneyland" show and was broadcast in 1963.

There was also a movie, Fort de la solitude (1948), directed by Robert Vernay, based on one of Rene Guillot's adult novels.

René Guillot died in Paris in 1969.

Partial bibliography

Kpo the Leopard (OUP, Oxford Children's Library 1955 ~ 160pp.)(3rd Eng. printing, 1967)Illustrated by Joan Kiddell-Monroe, translated by Gwen Marsh

The 397th White Elephant (SG Phillips 1957)Illustrated by Christian Heinrich

Grishka And The Bear (NY, Criterion Books 1960 ~ 115pp)Translated by Gwen Marsh. Illustrated by Joan Kiddell-Monroe

Master of the Elephants (OUP: London 1961 ~ 146pp)Translated by Barbara Seccombe

Riders Of The Wind (Rand McNally 1962 ~ 174pp)Illustrated by Richard Kennedy

The Wind of Chance (Oxford University Press London 1963 ~ 188pp)Translated by Norman Dale

Little Dog Lost (Librairie Hachette, Paris 1964)(English translation 1967)(US revised English translation published byLothrop, Lee & Shepard and byWilliam Morrow ~ 1970. ISBN 0688511392)Translated by Joan Selby-Lowndes, illustrated by Wallace Tripp

Balloon Journey (Clark McCutcheon 1966)Illustrated by David Knight

The Castle of the Crested Bird (NY: Watts 1968)Illustrated by Paul Durmand.

Fodai and the Leopard-Men (Funk & Wagnalls 1970 ~ 164pp.)Illustrated by Michel Jouin

Tales of Magic (Eng edition in translation ~ 1973)Illustrated by Paul Durmand

Pascal and the Lioness(Random House New Acorn Library ~ 1976) ISBN-10: 0370109007 Translated and Adapted by Christina HolyoakIllustrated by Barry Wilkinson