In Memoriam -- Children's Literature 2012

Every year at award time, I am guilty of not be up on the latest movies or music.   I have a passion of 1980's music and TV, but that doesn't really help me out on today's red carpet.  I do watch the awards shows, so on Monday morning I can join the water cooler conversations, but historically, my favorite part of the shows is the In Memoriam.  I like to see the beautiful tributes that are put together.  I love the nostalgic feeling of remembering a particular movie or actor. Basically, I am a sucker for a good cry.

While working in libraries, each time a significant author or illustrator would pass, I would post a biography and pull his/her works and put them on display.  It was my little way of honoring them and how they impacted our readers.  The other staff joked that the small bookshelf I used for this purpose couldn't be borrowed for use anywhere else.  They jokingly called it "Patty's dead author shelf'."

All joking aside, I enjoyed watching our patrons take a look at the display.  Check out an old favorite, or perhaps read something brand new because they learned of the author's passing on the news.  For a while, the books would be checked out or just simply just lie in state to honor the life of its creator.  It was the least we could do.

2012 brought us many losses in the world of Children's Literature.  Please join me know as we honor those whose writing and pictures will live forever in the heart's of children and librarians everywhere.

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The following article is from the the January 2, 2013 online issue of School Library Journal 

In Memoriam 2012

By Rocco Staino on January 2, 2013 2 Comments

Jean Craighead George

Many wonderful authors, illustrators, and others in the world of children’s books passed away last year. Their works have enriched our lives and collections and brought joy to countless children.
School Library Journal regrets any omissions. Please add to our list in the comments section.

January 30 – Bill Wallace, 64, author of more than 30 books, including A Dog Called Kitty (Holiday House, 1980).
February 2 – Joyce Barkhouse, 98, Canadian author of the Pit Pony (Gage, 1989) and other works of historical fiction.
February 3 – John Christopher, 89, British science-fiction author, whose real name was Samuel Youd.  He’s best known for his “Tripods” trilogy (Macmillan).
February 24 – Jan Berenstain, 88, cocreator, with her husband, Stan, of some of the world’s most-beloved kids’ book characters, the Berenstain Bears.
May 4 – Maurice Sendak, 83, one of the most recognizable names in children’s literature.
May 15 – Jean Craighead George, 92, Newbery-winning author and naturalist.
May 25 – Peter D. Sieruta, 53, creator of the popular blog Collecting Children’s Books.
May 26 – Ellen Levine, 73, activist and author of the Caldecott Honor book, Henry’s Freedom Box (Scholastic, 2007).
May 26 – Leo Dillon, 79, the first African American to win the Caldecott Medal.
July 11 – Donald J. Sobol, 87, creator of the popular “Encyclopedia Brown” (T. Nelson) mystery series.
July 12 –Else Homelund Minarik, 91, creator of the “Little Bear” (Harper) series.
July 23 – Margaret Mahy, 76, New Zealand author of more than 100 books.

Josepha Sherman

July 31 – Mollie Hunter, 90, Scottish author of children’s and young adult books.
August 2 – Jean Merrill, 89, author of The Pushcart War (Scott, 1964), one of the 20th century’s best social satires for children.
August 9 – Jose Aruego, 80, illustrator of Leo the Late Bloomer (Windmill, 1971).
August 14 – Remy Charlip, 83, dancer, actor, and an award-winning author and illustrator of more than 30 children’s books.

Irving Adler

August 22 -  Nina Bawden, 87, author of the World War II novel Carrie’s War (Gollancz, 1973).
August 23 – Josepha Sherman, 65, sci-fi and fantasy author.
September 22 – Irving Adler, 99, social activist and prolific author of math and science books for children.
November 23 – Sandra McLeod Humphrey, 76, award-winning author of children’s books on character development.