English children's book author and TV presenter John Cunliffe, creator of Postman Pat and Rosie & Jim, died September 20, the Bookseller reported. He was 85. Cunliffe published approximately 190 books for young children, including five volumes of poetry as well as numerous picture books and collections of stories.
"John Left his Ilkley home in a deluge of rain on Thursday, September 20, never to return," his obituary in the Ilkley Gazette noted, adding that "even the skies wept for John." His last poetry collection, Dare You Go, "has now come to fruition for John has dared to go and he has gone."
Director of BBC Children's Alice Webb said Postman Pat had been a "hugely popular" character on the network for nearly 40 years: "It's a world you'd like to be part of--a community that cares, is full of heart and full of fun--and that is a lovely thing to show audiences, both young and old. I count myself lucky to be one of millions of children whose childhoods were enriched by John's creations."
Rachel Feldberg, Ikley Literature Festival's director, told the Bookseller: "We were honored to have John as Patron of our Children's Festival and I have wonderful memories of events he did with us. His work, particularly Postman Pat, was iconic for everyone who grew up reading, watching and loving those characters and will continue to delight children for generations to come."