Gilbert Delalaye, author and writer is a name less known than that of his heroine of children’s books: Martine. Indeed, the adventures of the girl have fascinated generations of little girls. Its author, now deceased, was Norman. And to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the very first publication of "Martine à la ferme", the wife and son of the author returned to their home in Franqueville Saint Pierre, near Rouen. The author’s daughters always compete for the albums of their father while the grandmother tells stories of Martine to her grandson. Martine’s character is accused of encouraging the household chores of little girls and stay-at-home mothers but in the stories, she also reveals her independence. Comment on images of the family home and albums alternating with the interview of Yvette Delahaye, wife of Gilbert Delahaye, his son, Jean Pierre Delahaye and Philippe Leroy, mayor of Franqueville St Pierre.
The Belgian cartoonist Marcel Marlier, father of little Martine whose albums are sold by tens of millions around the world is the guest of the newspaper. Interviews and reactions of professionals on the way of working of Marcel Marlier with François Boucq, draftsman, Carlos Surquin, sculptor, former student of Marcel Marlier, including his preparatory work and perfectionist, Laurence Bibot, humorist and director of the documentary "I love Martine" on antifeminist criticism of the albums of Martine, Frédéric Jannin, draftsman and Frédéric Kochman, child psychiatrist on the universe of "Martine", the stopped time of the universe of parents or grandparents, his idyllic world far from the "current horrors" for Marcel Marlier.
Meet Marcel Marlier, Belgian creator and cartoonist of the character of Martine, heroine of children’s books. His books have always met with the same success regardless of the language or culture of his readers. Meeting with fans of this character over several generations during a signing session by the cartoonist at the Arlon comic strip festival. Reactions of readers and her wife Maria-Augustine MARLIER: her husband lived longer with Martine than with her in 45 years of marriage.
The heroine of children’s books "Martine" celebrates her fiftieth birthday. An exhibition is dedicated to him until November 15 at the castle of Buc in the Yvelines. Images of the albums and the exhibition, interview with a mother and daughter, readers of Martine and Marie Claudine Bénichou, youth editor at Casterman.