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Dick King-Smith
Dick King-Smith
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Dick King-Smith Obituary
His publisher, Random House Children's Books, said in a statement that the writer died in his sleep early Tuesday morning at his home near Bath, about 100 miles west of London, after suffering from poor health in recent years.
King-Smith was honored by Queen Elizabeth II when he received an OBE last year for his services to children's literature.
The writer worked for 20 years as a farmer before he trained as a primary school teacher. In his 50s, he began to write his first story, "The Fox Busters," about chickens taking their revenge on foxes. The book was published in 1978.
He has published over 100 books - mostly about animals and often about pigs, his favorite - which have sold more than 15 million copies worldwide. The 1995 Oscar-winning movie "Babe," based on his story about a pig that behaves like a sheepdog, made his books a global hit.
He once said of his work: "Much as I love 'The Wind In The Willows' and the works of Beatrix Potter, I never dress my animals in clothes ... They behave as animals should behave, with the exception that they open their mouths and speak the Queen's English."
"Dick was one of the kindest and funniest authors, and a delight to publish," said Annie Eaton, a publisher at Random House.
Eaton added that despite enjoying Hollywood success with the film of his novel "The Sheep-Pig," he "stayed firmly grounded and was quite unspoilt."
His family said in a statement that King-Smith leaves behind his second wife Zona, three children, 14 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and a great-great grandchild.
Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press
31 Entries
KATHY & BUDDY BARNETT
June 12, 2012
BABE, FERDINAND, FLY, REX, AND MA-CHARACTERS THAT WILL LIVE FOREVER. THANKS FOR THAT. R.I.P
michelle woodard
January 9, 2011
if he wrote chidrens books he must have been a good man,im sure he lived a good life.god bless the family .they have my deepest sympsthy.
January 9, 2011
May the God of all comfort be with you as you struggle to cope with your loss. He knows your pain and promises to be with those that are broken at heart, and those crushed in spirit he saves. May these words bring you a bit of solace at this difficult time.
Toby Anderson
How you can show support
Amy Hayman
January 8, 2011
Thank you for sharing your heartfelt and fun stories with the rest of us! That was truly a gift.
Mines
January 8, 2011
My deepest sympathy to the King-Smith family. Our loved ones may leave us, but they leave us a Life time of fond memories to cherish. Mr. King stories gave my family much joy and happiness. His legacy will live on through his stories and his family. And remember a heart broken and crushed, O God, you will not despise. May that promise of God support the family during this difficult time.
Reen Reed
January 8, 2011
We loved Charlottes Web. What wonderful memories watching it with my daughters. May God's words comfort and strenghen you all during this sorrowful time.
Pearl Lopez Delgado
January 7, 2011
GodBless you
Our prayers
of condolences
My children
loved the movie~
January 7, 2011
My deepest sympathy too the family & friends of Mr. King Smith. His stories gave my Childern & Grand & Great grand Children many happy hours. Ellie Greene Arlington VT
January 7, 2011
May God comfort the family and friends of Mr. Smith. We can all look forward to the time when death will be no more and instead of tears of sorrow there will be tears of happiness.
D.A. Willlingboro, NJ
VENA BERRY
January 7, 2011
My deepest sympathies go out to the family of Mr. King Smith. His stories have brought alot of smiles to childrens faces. May his family find comfort in family, friends, & pleasant memories. And that "God is healing the broken-hearted ones, and is binding up their painful spots" - PSALMS 147:3
January 7, 2011
With Deepest Sympathy.
Tara Brown
Bowie, MD
Babe Hoggett
January 7, 2011
My life these past 14 years has been ever more enlivened by the Mr. King-Smith's adaptation of "the Sheep Pig" to the big screen as Babe. What a wonderful story and movie. Thank you Mr. King-Smith for the happiness your creation brings to millions of fans.
Debi Camp
January 7, 2011
The world was made a better place by having you in it. Thank you for entertaining me and my children for many years.
K.S. Young
January 7, 2011
Thank you so much for sharing your loved one with our family. Mr. King-Smith's characters reminded us of my grandfather and his English attributes. I read all of Mr. King-Smith's beloved books to our children and continue to do so to our grandchildren. He will never be forgotten. May God bless you and your family during this time of sorrow.
January 7, 2011
He made me smile.
Annie Flyte USA
Tom Kerr
January 7, 2011
Thanks for Dick's book that led to the movie, Babe, which my wife loved.
Tom Kerr
January 7, 2011
My thoughts and prayers are with Leland Tollett and Buddy Wray in the loss of their friend and leader--Don Tyson. Don had the insight to purchase a poultry plant in Monett, Mo. over 40 years ago, making it the first Tyson plant outside of Ark. As a retired 23-year Tyson prouction employee, I am most gratiful for the stock purchase and retirement savings plan of Tyson Foods, Inc. It was a privilege to work for Don Tyson, who surrounded himself with men like Leland Tollett and Buddy Wray and who ranks with Sam Walton and J. B. Hunt in the business world.
January 7, 2011
I haven't eaten any pig products since the movie Babe. I am sure all the swine in the world appreciate his work.
S McNeal
January 7, 2011
I haven't eaten any pig products since the movie Babe. I am sure all the swine in the world appreciate his work.
R Golaty
January 6, 2011
To the the family of Dick King-Smith - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow, I know that Dick will be missed by many.
SUSAN ELLIOTT
January 6, 2011
OUR PRAYERS GO OUT TO HIS FAMILY ALSO ON THE PASSING OF THIS WRITER WHO MADE THE MOVIE BABE I ENJOYED THE MOVIE HE WILL BE MISSED THANK YOU FOR THE CONTRIBUTION HE MADE TO CHILDRENS MOVIES
January 6, 2011
Over 20 years of 5th graders loved reading about "Babe" in the book long before the movie. Dick King- Smith was an inspiration to get children to read.
Victoria&Andrew VZj
January 6, 2011
Our Condolences'
As One of Many to create
Such entertainment
of a Wonderful animation
Thank you for the Quality
inside a movie so on..
For many young' an old
For its a kind
gift to read laugh
have
Joyful tears..
Brillant admired
So long Until
we all
meet again
Have a Safe
Journey Under
Moon Sun
Universal Heavens
against many Stars
GodBless you&your Family~
Bernice
January 6, 2011
Thanks for your talent!
January 6, 2011
.It is a pleasure to read about someone who took such an interest in writing about one of God's creations.(Gen.1:24) I especially enjoyed the movie "Babe".I am sure that you have many beautiful stories to tell the children in the family about Mr. King-Smith. My sympathy is with you. [email protected].
SCOTT CHAMBERLAND
January 6, 2011
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Old Lady
January 6, 2011
I am 64 and read and re-read Mr. King-Smith's wonderful books. Favorite - and it goes without saying - is The Sheep Pig-Babe. It is also one of my all time favorite movies. I rescue FeLV+ cats & whenever a new one comes home with me we always watch Babe and The Lion King. This is a book & movie everyone should watch regardless of age. Deepest sympathy to his family and friends.
Patricia A Jublikhan PC
January 6, 2011
Our all time favorite was Charlottes Web.
Thanks for the memories.
XOXO,
Patti & David
The Farbers
January 6, 2011
He will be deeply missed and remembered.
God will comfort you.
Fran Smith
January 6, 2011
The loss of a great gift of a man. Fortunately, he will continue to live and he will continue to influence children; as well as the rest of us. My condolences to his family. sincerely, fran smith, yuma, az. usa
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