Ian Falconer, the 63-year-old author and illustrator of the well-known children’s book series Olivia about an intelligent and ambitious little pig, has passed away.
It is unknown what caused the death.
Along with having a successful writing career, Falconer also worked as a set and costume designer for renowned theatre and opera companies all over the world, including Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France, and The Royal Opera in London, England.
Beginning in 1996, he also created the covers for The New Yorker. Through this work, Falconer was discovered by Anne Schwartz, a publisher at Simon & Schuster at the time, who asked him to write a children’s book for the publisher’s imprint.
The author’s niece Olivia was the inspiration for the first Olivia book, which Falconer responded by giving to Schwartz.
Seven sequels to the first Olivia children’s book that was released in 2000. According to NPR, the series was a New York Times best-seller and sold more than 10 million copies.
Schwartz discussed her initial response to Falconer’s draught of the first Olivia book in an interview with NPR “It was obvious right away that this was something truly unique. This is unlike anything I’ve ever seen, I said to myself. Just really lucky here, I guess.”
She specifically mentioned how the drawing and colouring style was totally original, saying, “The fact that the entire book was red and black at a time when picture books were full colour was one of its many unique qualities. It was unusual to see something that was so blatant and visually arresting.”
She went on, “There was also this amazing character of Olivia that just really jumped off the pages. In every single picture, I knew that kids would be able to connect with her.”
Two Dogs, a children’s book about two dachshunds who run away from home to embark on elaborate adventures for the day, was just published last year by Falconer.
