AUTHOR Shirley Hughes has died at the age of 94.
The writer, who penned the Alfie series, has passed away, with tributes pour in for the “outstanding” writer.
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Who was Shirley Hughes?
Shirley Hughes, CBE was born on July 16, 1927 and was an English author and illustrator.
She wrote more than fifty books, which includes the beloved Alfie series.
Throughout her career, Shirley illustrated some 200 children’s books and made lifetime sales surpassing more than 10 million copies of her books.
She was appointed a CBE in 2017 for her services to Children’s Literature, having been made an OBE in 1999.
What was her cause of death?
The author died “peacefully at home after a short illness on February 25, 2022,” her family announced.
Tributes poured in for Shirley – who many people say influenced much of their childhood.
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Journalist Jane Merrick said: “Shirley Hughes’ books were such a huge part of my childhood and my daughter’s. Condolences to her family.”
Another fan wrote: “Shirley Hughes has gone. Long live wonderful, lovely Shirley.
“You’ve delighted and moved us for years and years and years and will go on doing so.”
Writer Piers Torday also said: “Farewell the incomparable Shirley Hughes.
“Such kindness, warmth, love, humour and grace, radiating in such glowing detail from every page, for decade after decade of tireless service to children and their futures.
“A beacon of publishing joy and always will be.”
What books did Shirley Hughes write?
Shirley’s beloved children’s book Dogger, first published in 1977, was about a little boy who loses his stuffed dog toy.
It went on to win her the Kate Greenaway Medal for “an outstanding book in terms of illustration for children and young people”.
It was an achievement that Hughes would win again – as she won the prize a second time for Ella’s Big Chance, a reimagining of Cinderella, in 2003.
