- Hughes, best known for Alfie series and children's picture book Dogger, died 'peacefully at home' last month
- Tributes flooded in for writer, with fans remembering the 'stories of our childhood' that 'will continue forever'
- Author Michael Rosen said she 'delighted and moved us for years and years and years and will go on doing so'
- And fellow writer Malorie Blackman added that 'Shirley was a class act, always friendly, warm and welcoming'
Beloved children's author and illustrator Shirley Hughes has died after a short illness at the age of 94, her family said today, as leading writers paid tribute.
Hughes, best known for the Alfie series - about a boy called Alfie and his little sister Annie Rose - and children's picture book Dogger, died 'peacefully at home' on February 25.
Her family said the writer had 'gained an enormous amount of pleasure from reading your messages' and asked for people to share their favourite stories or pictures she created.
Tributes flooded in for the legendary writer and artist this morning, with fans remembering the 'stories of our childhood' that 'will continue forever'.
Sir Michael Morpurgo, writer of children's novel War Horse, said she 'must have began the reading lives of so many millions'. Meanwhile Sir Philip Pullman said no other illustrator was 'ever loved as much'.
Author Michael Rosen said she had 'delighted and moved us for years and years and years and will go on doing so', while fellow writer Malorie Blackman added 'Shirley was a class act, always friendly, warm and welcoming'.
A post on Hughes' Twitter on the day she died quoted a passage from her book on Alfie Weather, showing illustrations of his mother helping him through a stream.
Dogger, which was first published in 1977 and is about a little boy who loses his stuffed dog toy, went on to win her the Kate Greenaway Medal.
The website said the award was only handed out for 'an outstanding book in terms of illustration for children and young people'.
It was an achievement Hughes would obtain again, winning the prize a second time for Ella's Big Chance, a reimagining of Cinderella, in 2003.
Only two years ago, in her nineties, she revived the heartwarming tale more than 40 years after the original book with Dogger's Christmas.
Beloved children's author and illustrator Shirley Hughes has died after a short illness at the age of 94, her family said today. Pictured: Ms Hughes receiving a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) from the Duke of Cambridge at Buckingham Palace in 2017
Hughes, best known for the Alfie series - about a boy called Alfie and his little sister Annie Rose - and children's picture book Dogger, died 'peacefully at home' on February 25
Dogger, which was first published in 1977 and is about a little boy who loses his stuffed dog toy, went on to win her the Kate Greenaway Medal
Her family said in a statement: 'Shirley's books about everyday family life are adored by generations of families and she is held in the highest esteem by her peers.'
They added on Twitter: 'It is with deepest sorrow that we announce that Shirley died peacefully in her sleep at home on Friday 25th February. Ed, Tom and Clara Shirley's children.
'Shirley gained an enormous amount of pleasure from reading your messages and replies. She often said how Twitter had brought her closer to her fans and readers. Please do enjoy sharing your favourite of her books or illustrations here, at home and in school.'
On the day she died, a post quoted a passage from Alfie, saying: '''Now we're real explorers'' said Mum. The stream was shallow. Alfie and Mum took off their shoes and waded in.
'They sat there without talking for quite a long while until it was time to go home. And neither Alfie nor Mum ever forgot that time and that place.'
Tributes flooded in for the writer online. Sir Michael said in a statement: 'We have all grown up with the stories and drawings of Shirley Hughes deep inside us. We've enjoyed them for ourselves, with our children, with our grandchildren.
'Shirley must have began the reading lives of so many millions. That moment when you've read a book like Alfie and sit back and think 'that was wonderful, tell me another'. Thank you Shirley from all of us, children of today and children of yesterday.'
Sir Philip said: 'Shirley Hughes was admired, enjoyed, talked about, listened to, read, looked at, thought about as much as any other illustrator has ever been; but no other illustrator, I can say for certain, was ever loved as much.'
Author Mr Rosen tweeted: '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.'
Fellow writer Ms Blackman said: 'I'm so sorry to hear this. Shirley was a class act, always friendly, warm and welcoming. This was reflected in her stories and particularly in her illustrations. RIEP Shirley.'
Historical fiction novelist Hazel Gaynor put: 'Thank you, Shirley Hughes, for so many precious hours with your stories and my small boys.'
She added on Twitter: 'They are strapping teens now, and still remember dear Dogger. What an incredible legacy you leave.'
Writer Cressida Cowell added: 'Deeply saddened to hear of the death of magnificent Shirley Hughes, a true legend in our field. Her warm, wise work captures the essence of childhood and will continue to inspire generations of children to come. What a legacy she leaves.'
Left: Hughes is pictured at home in London. Right: She was pictured with her last book which came out in 2020 - Dogger's Christmas
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