From left: Echo Brown, Eve Bunting, Ian Falconer, Keith Giffen, and Mary Ann Hoberman

Children’s literature lost many creators this past year. Here are just some of the authors and illustrators who died in 2023.

Echo Brown. Author and performer whose debut YA novel,  Black Girl Unlimited: The Remarkable Story of a Teenage Wizard, was a Morris Award finalist.

Eve Bunting. Prolific author known for tackling tough subjects in her children’s books.

Ian Falconer. Author and illustrator best known for the “Olivia” series.

Keith Giffen. Comic book artist and writer best known for his work on DC Comics' Justice League and Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy.

Mary Ann Hoberman. Picture book author and U.S. Children’s Poet Laureate (2008-2010).
 

From left: Janet Taylor Lisle, Ian McGinty, and Susan Patron

Janet Taylor Lisle. Author whose Afternoon of the Elves was a 1990 Newbery Honor Book.

Ian McGinty. Comics artist and animator best known for his work on Adventure Time and Welcome to Showside.

Susan Patron. Author and children’s librarian best known for the 2007 Newbery Medal winner The Higher Power of Lucky.
 

From left: Julie Anne Peters, Rachel Pollack, John Romita, Amy Schwartz, and Ed Young

Julie Anne Peters. YA author known for her novels featuring LGBTQ+ characters.

Rachel Pollack. Sci-Fi author and comics writer who created the first transgender superheroine for DC Comics.

John Romita. Comic book artist best known for his work on Marvel Comics' The Amazing Spider-Man and co-creating characters including Mary Jane Watson and Wolverine.

Amy Schwartz. Prolific author-illustrator whose debut picture book, Bea and Mr. Jones, was named to New York Public Library’s 1982 list of 100 Best Children’s Books.

Ed Young. Author and illustrator who won the Caldecott in 1990 for Lon Po Po, a Chinese version of Little Red Riding Hood, that he also wrote.