Edward Gorey, Comedian of the Macabre

Eccentric and influential, Edward Gorey wrote and illustrated more than 100 books.

Artist Varnette Honeywood (1950–2010)

Varnette Honeywood began studying art as a child at age 12, and it would be books for children that would bring her art to its widest audience.

Astrid Lindgren and Pippi Longstocking: Brightening Gloomy Childhoods

Astrid Lindgren wrote dozens of books during her career, but she’s best remembered for giving the world Pippi Longstocking.

Kids Love Berenstain Bears

The Berenstain Bears have captivated generations of children.

Winnie-the-Pooh (and A. A. Milne Too)

A. A. Milne, creator of Winnie-the-Pooh, was born Jan. 18, 1882 and died Jan. 31, 1956.

Shel Silverstein Set to Music

Today we're celebrating the life and work of chart-topping, Grammy Award-winning songwriter Shel Silverstein .

In Obituaries, Dr. Seuss Quotes Reflect Life's Magic

Some love Dr. Seuss so much that they've added his quotes to an unexpected place: obituaries.

Anna Dewdney (1965–2016), Llama Llama children's author

Anna Dewdney, a best-selling children's author known for her "Llama Llama" stories, has died at the age of 50.

New Tributes to Seuss and Henson

Sept. 24, 2016, represents an interesting coincidence of anniversaries: It would have been Jim Henson's 80th birthday, and it's the 25th anniversary of Dr. Seuss' death. That's two major anniversaries for two great men who changed the landscape of children's entertainment.

Paula Fox (1923 - 2017), award-winning children's author

Paula Fox, whose children’s books won numerous awards, died Wednesday, March 1, 2017, in Brooklyn, according to multiple news sources. She was 93. Fox's daughter, Linda Carroll, told The Associated Press that her mother had been in declining health. Fox’s children’s book “The Slave Dancer” won the 1974 Newbery Medal. Based on historical accounts, it tells the tale of a white 13-year-old boy who must play a pipe while slaves are forced to dance upon a slave ship to keep their strength up. She was awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Award, the highest international award for children’s literature, in 1978.

Amy Krouse Rosenthal (1965 - 2017), children's author

Author and filmmaker Amy Krouse Rosenthal touched many lives when she wrote a moving essay about her husband, Jason, and her terminal cancer diagnosis.

Michael Bond (1926 - 2017), Paddington Bear author

English children's author created the beloved Paddington Bear...

In ‘A Wrinkle in Time,' She Found a Heroine to Inspire Her

A look back 10 years after Madeleine L’Engle’s death

Julius Lester (1939 - 2018), author of award-winning children's book "To Be a Slave"

Julius Lester, an author, musician, civil rights activist and university professor who made a late-life conversion to Judaism, has died, according to The Associated Press. He was 78.

Ursula K. Le Guin (1929 – 2018), Grand Master of Science Fiction and Fantasy

Beloved author of Earthsea and The Left Hand of Darkness...

Richard Peck (1934 – 2018), prize-winning children’s author

Richard Peck, prize-winning children’s author, died Wednesday, May 23, 2018, at his home in New York City, after a battle with cancer, according to the Associated Press. He was 84.

Donald Hall (1928–2018), former U.S. poet laureate

Prolific poet won numerous awards.

Tomie dePaola (1934–2020), children’s author who wrote “Strega Nona”

Tomie dePaola was a children’s book author and illustrator whose hundreds of books included the Caldecott Honor-winning “Strega Nona.”

Joanna Cole (1944–2020), “The Magic School Bus” author

Joanna Cole was a children’s author best known for her “The Magic School Bus” series.

Sam McBratney (1943–2020), children’s author of “Guess How Much I Love You”

Sam McBratney was an Irish author of books for children and adults, best known for the children’s bestseller “Guess How Much I Love You.”

Bette Greene (1934–2020), “Summer of My German Soldier” author

Bette Greene was an author of children’s and young adult books including the 1973 National Book Award finalist “Summer of My German Soldier.”

Norton Juster (1929–2021), author of “The Phantom Tollbooth”

Norton Juster was a children’s author known for his 1961 classic, “The Phantom Tollbooth.”

Beverly Cleary (1916–2021), award-winning “Ramona” series author

Beverly Cleary penned award-winning books for children and young adults including the popular "Ramona" series, notably the National Book Award-winning “Ramona and Her Mother” as well as “Ramona the Brave,” “Ramona Quimby, Age 8,” and “Ramona Forever.”

Eric Carle (1929–2021), “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” author

Eric Carle was an author and illustrator of children’s books, including “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” and “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?”

Lois Ehlert (1934–2021), “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” illustrator

Lois Ehlert was an illustrator known for children’s books including the classic “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.”

Richard Robinson (1937–2021), CEO of children’s book publishing company Scholastic

Richard Robinson was the CEO of the children’s book publishing company Scholastic for decades, where he introduced book series including Harry Potter and the Hunger Games to the U.S.

Eloise Greenfield (1929–2021), children’s author who depicted Black lives

Eloise Greenfield was a children’s author whose picture books told stories of Black lives and history.

Gary Paulsen (1939–2021), young adult author of “Hatchet”

Gary Paulsen was an author of books for young adults including the wilderness survival classic “Hatchet.”

Jerry Pinkney (1939–2021), children’s book illustrator and author

Jerry Pinkney was a children’s book illustrator and author known for books including the Caldecott Medal-winning “The Lion & the Mouse.”

Ashley Bryan (1923–2022), award-winning children’s author and illustrator

Ashley Bryan wrote and illustrated award-winning children’s books including “Beat the Story-Drum, Pum Pum” and Beautiful Blackbird.”

Shirley Hughes (1927–2022), British children’s author

Shirley Hughes was a British children’s author and illustrator known for “Dogger” and the “Alfie” series.  

Patricia MacLachlan (1938–2022), author of “Sarah, Plain and Tall”

Patricia MacLachlan was a children’s author whose dozens of books included the award-winning “Sarah, Plain and Tall.”

Gerda Weissmann Klein (1924–2022), Holocaust survivor profiled in Oscar-winning film

Gerda Weissmann Klein was an author and Holocaust survivor who was profiled in the Oscar-winning 1995 documentary “One Survivor Remembers.”

Raymond Briggs (1934–2022), children’s author known for “The Snowman”

Raymond Briggs was a British author and illustrator of graphic novels and children’s books including the beloved classic “The Snowman.”

Marijane Meaker (1927–2022), award-winning young adult and lesbian author

Marijane Meaker was an author of pioneering young adult and lesbian fiction, including under such pen names as M.E. Kerr and Vin Packer.

Ted Bell (1946–2023), author of Alex Hawke spy novels

Ted Bell was a novelist best known for his best-selling Alex Hawke series.

Ian Falconer (1959–2023), Olivia children’s book author

Ian Falconer was the author and illustrator of the “Olivia” series of children’s books, as well as a set and costume designer for the theatre.

Julie Anne Peters (1952–2023), groundbreaking YA author of Luna 

Julie Anne Peters was an author of young adult books including “Luna,” one of the first to feature a transgender character.

Christine King Farris (1927–2023), Martin Luther King Jr.’s sister 

Christine King Farris was a teacher and author, as well as the sister of the Rev.  

Mary Ann Hoberman (1930–2023), award-winning children’s author

Mary Ann Hoberman was a poet and National Book Award winner for her 1978 children’s book “A House Is a House for Me.” 

Bill Pinkney (1935–2023), pioneering sailor 

Bill Pinkney was the first Black sailor to make a solo circumnavigation of the globe via the notoriously difficult southern route, around the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Horn.

Eve Bunting (1928–2023), bestselling children’s author

Eve Bunting was the author of bestselling and award-winning books for children, including “The Wall” and “Smoky Night.” 

Jo-El Sonnier (1946–2024), Grammy-winning Cajun musician

Jo-El Sonnier was a Cajun and country singer-songwriter known for “No More One More Time” and “Tear-Stained Letter.” 

Robie Harris (1940–2024), frequently challenged children’s author 

Robie Harris was a children’s author whose books were often the target of challenges and bans.

Laurent de Brunhoff (1925–2024), longtime Babar author and artist 

Laurent de Brunhoff was a French author and illustrator who carried on the work of his father, Jean de Brunhoff, the creator of Babar the Elephant.

Lynne Reid Banks (1929–2024), The Indian in the Cupboard author 

Lynne Reid Banks was an author known for such books as “The L-Shaped Room” and the bestselling children’s novel “The Indian in the Cupboard.”

Faith Ringgold (1930–2024), artist known for quilts 

Faith Ringgold was an artist and author known for her quilts, paintings and children’s books depicting Black American life.

Francine Pascal (1932–2024), Sweet Valley High creator

Francine Pascal was an author who helped revolutionize young adult literature with her popular “Sweet Valley High” series and its spinoffs.

Bruce Degen (1945–2024), The Magic School Bus illustrator

Bruce Degen was an artist and writer best known for illustrating dozens of books for young readers, including the beloved children’s book series “The Magic School Bus.”