Jose Aruego, best known for illustrating Robert Kraus’s Leo the Late Bloomer (Windmill, 1971), died August 9 in New York City on his 80th birthday.
Author, Illustrator Remy Charlip Dies at 83
By on August 17, 2012
Remy Charlip, dancer, actor, and an award-winning author and illustrator of more than 30 children’s books including I Love You (Scholastic, 1999) and Mother Mother I Feel Sick (Parents’ Magazine Press, 1966), died August 14. He was 83.
Children’s Book Author Jean Merrill Dies at 89
By on August 15, 2012
Jean Merrill, the award-winning author of The Pushcart War, one of the 20th century’s best social satires for children, has died. Merrill, 89, died of cancer on August 2 at her home in Randolph, VA.
‘Encyclopedia Brown’ Author Donald J. Sobol Dies at 87
By on July 17, 2012
A staple in school and public libraries across the country, the chapter books followed the adventures of 10-year-old amateur sleuth Leroy Brown (nicknamed “Encyclopedia” for his range of knowledge) as he solved the mysteries that took place in the fictional town of Idaville, FL. Ahead of his times, Sobol made his boy-wonder-protagonist part of a crime-solving team, along with his partner, the spunky and assertive Sally Kimble, who was never afraid to defend her friend from bullies.
“Little Bear” Author Else Homelund Minarik Dies at 91
By on July 13, 2012
Else Homelund Minarik, the Danish-born author of the hugely popular “Little Bear” (HarperCollins) series for beginning readers, died July 12 at her home in Sunset Beach, NC, of complications following a heart attack. She was 91.
Ray Bradbury, Science-Fiction Writer and Library Fan, Dies at 91
By on June 6, 2012
An ardent library fan, Bradbury said he wrote Fahrenheit 451 (Ballantine, 1953) on a typewriter in the basement of UCLA’s Powell Library and that his original intention in writing the book was to show his great love for books and libraries. The dystopian novel, about a future society in which books are outlawed, ranked number 69 on the American Library Association’s Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009.
