Beverly Cleary, beloved children's author, dies at 104

[demmiblue]

Source: Chicago Tribune

Beloved children’s author Beverly Cleary, whose characters Ramona Quimby and Henry Huggins enthralled generations of youngsters, has died. She was 104.

Cleary’s publisher, HarperCollins, announced her death Friday. In a statement, the company said Cleary died in Carmel, California, her home since the 1960s, on Thursday. No cause of death was given.

Trained as a librarian, Cleary didn’t start writing books until her early 30s. Her first novel was 1950?s “Henry Huggins,” based on the children she grew up with in Portland, Oregon. Cleary wrote more than 30 books, which sold millions of copies.

Read more: https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/books/ct-aud-nw-beverly-cleary-author-dead-20210326-fofihgmvwzbwdpm2kh24p3xfua-story.html

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[ChazII]

1. I read her books when I was a child.

As an adult I read her books aloud to my students.

[Evolve Dammit]

2. "The Mouse and the Motorcycle" was great. Thank you Beverly.

[frazzled]

3. I grew up with Beezus and Ramona

104, gee.

[Hekate]

4. She was a brilliant writer. I remember picking up a copy of Henry Huggins & his dog Ribsy ...

...while my little kids were sleeping one night. Somehow I had missed it earlier in my life. I damn near died laughing at Ribsy being involuntarily bathed, perfumed, and beribboned before he finally escaped and was able to leap the fence and roll in something more appropriate to a dog.

RIP, Beverly Cleary. Heartfelt thanks for everything.

[FlyingPiggy]

5. May she rest in peace. She sure has brought much joy to me and my daughter.

I grew up reading her books and so did my daughter.

[TuxedoKat]

6. I loved her books as a kid

I remember being surprised at the humor in one when I first read one. I was kind of surprised and pleased at it as it was unexpected. RIP Ms. Cleary.

[IrishAfricanAmerican]

7. I read them all!

[mtngirl47]

8. "Dinner the light"

That’s what Ramona thought was said instead of “Dawn’s early light” in the Star Spangled Banner. She assumed it meant to turn off the light.

I’m in my 60’s and I think of that every time I hear that song!

[Hekate]

21. "Sit here for the present," Ramona's teacher said to her, & she waited & waited for a gift...

...not knowing the second meaning of “present.”

Life can be tough when you’re five y.o.

[mtngirl47]

23. It was "donzer the light " auto correct got me!

[BigmanPigman]

9. I can't even recall how often I read

her books to my classes. She was very popular with all of my students.

[PlanetBev]

10. Ah, Beezus and Ramona

I just loved her books so much when I was a kid.

Farewell to a life well lived.

[NurseJackie]

11. Oh no!

[murielm99]

12. I read her books as a child.

Then I read the aloud to my own children.

[Bettie]

13. Ramona and her doll

Chevrolet...still makes me smile today.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

14. She lived a long time

I remember reading Henry Huggins, Otis Spofford and Ribsy as a kid.

[DinahMoeHum]

15. Damn. Another piece of my childhood gone.

[Skittles]

16. that picture is so cool

[electric_blue68]

17. It looks like she's smiling because a new cool idea is popping into her mind

Don't think I've read her

[JI7]

24. You would still enjoy it even now if you are an adult

[Casandia]

18. 20 years ago I went to Portland

and made a point to go to Klickitat street. I loved all her books growing up, and read them to my children every night. Ribsy was our favorite “character”.

[oasis]

19. She brought joy and light to millions. Rest in peace Beverly Cleary.

[ShazzieB]

20. I grew up with Beezus and Ramona and Henry.

I always identified with Beezus, because I had a pesky little sister like hers. And then Ramona went on to star in the later books. Go figure!

[Polybius]

22. Ugh this is horrible

Loved her and Judy Blume as a kid. RIP.

[StarlightGold]

25. Aw rats.

I loved her books, especially Ellen Tebbits. Her pretending to know about horses and then actually having to ride one for the first time is so cute!

[twodogsbarking]

26. RIP special lady.

Tell your children you love them every day.
When they are adults they will tell you back. Trust me on this one.

[Wheezy]

27. Such an inspiration

I read all her books as a child. Now I write books for the same age range. RIP dear lady! Wish I could have met her.

[Wild blueberry]

28. One of my favorite childhood authors

Love Beezus and Ramona, Henry and Ribsy to this day.
Thank you, Beverly Cleary!

[jrandom421]

30. Grew up in Portland with Henry, Beezus, Ramona, Scooter and the others

I cannot count the hours I spend riding my bike all over northeast Portland, looking for Klickitat Street.

[CozyMystery]

31. She was my favorite author when I was a child....

After my triplets reached the age of loving to be read picture books, I discovered that Mrs. Cleary had written picture books based on her life with her twins. I wrote to her, and she wrote me back a handwritten letter. I still have it, and treasure it. I never thought I'd receive a response, figuring that she probably got millions of letters from fans every day.

She was a truly awesome woman and writer.