Brian Wildsmith R.I.P.

Brian Wildsmith, the British children's author and illustrator who, during the course of his long-standing association with Oxford University Press, wrote and illustrated more than 80 books, died August 31, the Bookseller reported. He was 86. Wildsmith began working with OUP in the late 1950s when children's publisher Mabel George commissioned him to illustrate 12 color plates for Tales from the Arabian Nights. This was followed by ABC, published in 1961, which won the Kate Greenaway Medal. Since 2007, a number of his books have been brought back into print.

A spokesperson for OUP said Wildsmith "was an immensely thoughtful, compassionate and perceptive man and these qualities touched all those at Oxford University Press who had the privilege to work with him over the years."

Author Michael Rosen commented: "Floods of color exploding across the pages with a name to match: Wildsmith. He was a wild smith. I remember feeling envious: why hadn't I had books as wild and lush as these?"

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