Interactive Edition of The Little Prince Marks 80th Anniversary with Vibrant Illustrations

To commemorate the 80th anniversary of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's classic, a new interactive edition of The Little Prince has been released. This version, created by the London-based design studio MinaLima, known for their work on the Harry Potter series, was published on April 2nd in 22 languages by Gallimard Jeunesse. It represents the first major adaptation since the book's original French publication in April 1946. The studio was given complete creative freedom by the publisher, Gallimard, following their successful prior collaborations. The new edition features approximately one hundred illustrations, a significant increase from the original, with about ten pop-up animations designed to engage younger readers. The visual style deliberately contrasts with Saint-Exupéry's original watercolor and pastel drawings, opting for a vibrant, colorful palette and avoiding the prominent use of white. Studio founders Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima explained their intent was to offer a fresh perspective on the familiar tale. Antoine Gallimard, CEO of the publishing house, stated such adaptations can revitalize the text and aid its transmission across generations. The initial global print run is 250,000 copies. The original story has sold 300 million copies worldwide, with 18 million in France, and is the most translated book after the Bible, available in 650 languages and dialects. Other anniversary initiatives include the publication of the original manuscript, a reissued graphic novel, a commemorative stamp series from La Poste, and immersive exhibitions in Les Baux-de-Provence and Bordeaux. The Little Prince has evolved into a successful commercial license managed by the Succession Saint Exupéry - d'Agay, with guidelines prohibiting partnerships inconsistent with the text's spirit, such as fast-food or oil companies. Copyright for the work is in the public domain in most countries, but remains protected in France until 2032 and in the United States until 2034 due to the author's status as a war hero.