Beloved children’s author Brian Jacques (pictured, via) passed away this week at 71-years-old. He wrote chapter novels, picture books, and short story collections during his long career.
According to BBC News, the author sold more than 20 million books internationally. Jacques is best-known for his Redwall fantasy series. Before Jacques died, 21 chapter books, three picture books, a graphic novel adaptation, and an opera were all published about the Redwall series. In June 2010, the author’s blog announced that the 22nd book in the series will be published this year.
Here’s more from BBC News: “Some critics compared [Jacques’ books] to J.R.R. Tolkien‘s Lord Of The Rings and Watership Down by Richard Adams. Even as a child he showed literary talent. He was caned by a teacher who could not believe that a 10-year-old could write so well when he penned a short story about a bird who cleaned a crocodile’s teeth.”