With the disappearance of François Faucher, we lose a great figure in the youth edition. Son of Paul Faucher, pioneer of New Education and founder of the Atelier du Père Castor in 1931, François Faucher was undoubtedly, with his brothers and sisters, the first reader of Father Castor’s albums, before succeeding his father at the head of the editions between 1967 and 1996.

The albums of Father Castor have put in the reach of each child books that knew how to excite them, taking them in stories full of fantasy and imagination. Their soft cover and simply stapled pages made it possible to desecrate the book for all children, offering them reading as a simple and obvious pleasure.

In 1996, Albums du Père Castor had 800 titles, including bestsellers read by generations like La vache orange, Marlaguette, Michka and Roulegalette.

When he retired in 1996, François Faucher created the Association des Amis du Père Castor, to preserve this heritage and educational mission, in order to “make every child want to grow and undertake with enthusiasm.”

Throughout his life, he embodied with passion and generosity the openness of all to culture and to the world.

I extend my condolences to his family and loved ones.