Beverly Cleary died on March 25 at the age of 104, according to a statement from HarperCollins. The beloved children’s author was responsible for creating some of the most recognizable characters in children’s literature, including Ramona Quimby, Beezus Quimby, Ralph S. Mouse, and others. Beverly died in Carmel, California, where she had lived since the 1960s, and is survived by her two children, Malcolm and Marianne, three grandchildren and one great-grandson.
“We’re sorry that Beverly Cleary, one of the most popular children’s authors of all time, passed away yesterday, March 25, at the age of 104,” said Suzanne Murphy, president and editor of HarperCollins Children’s Books, in a statement. “In retrospect, Beverly often said, ‘I had a happy life,’ and generations of readers consider themselves lucky, too lucky to have the very real characters she created, including Henry Huggins, Ramona and Beezus Quimby and Ralph S. Mouse as true friends who shaped their youth. “After hearing of Beverly’s death, a Facebook commenter wrote,” The first author I ever loved. May you rest in a well-deserved peace. Thank you for all that You have given millions of budding readers. “
Beverly’s 55-year writing career began in 1950 with the publication of Henry Hugginsthrough which she began to set a standard for realistic children’s literature with her authentic storybook characters. Her books have since sold more than 85 million copies and have been translated into 29 different languages. During her lifetime, Cleary received the American Library Association’s Laura Ingalls Wilder Award in 1975, the Catholic Library Association’s Regina Medal in 1980, and the University of Southern Mississippi Silver Medallion in 1982, among others. In 1984 she was the American author for the international Hans Christian Andersen Award and in 2000 was named “Living Legend” by the Library of Congress.
Donations on Beverly’s behalf can go to the Library Foundation of Portland or the University of Washington Information School.
We’re sad that Beverly Cleary, one of the most popular children’s authors of all time, has passed away …
Posted by Beverly Cleary on Friday March 26th, 2021
Image source: Alan McEwan
