British children's book author John Yeoman, who was praised by his publishers for his "impish humor" and the "combination of silliness, magic and fable" in his works, died July 8, the Bookseller reported. He was 89. Yeoman's collaboration with illustrator Quentin Blake continued for more than 60 years. A Drink of Water (1960) was their first book together, Meet the Family (2022) their final one, and Quentin Blake's Magical Tales (2010) their bestselling title.
A tribute post on Blake's Facebook page noted: "John and Quentin worked together on more than 30 books.... The two first met at Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar School in the 1940s, and remained close friends ever since."
Jane Winterbottom of Walker Books UK said Yeoman's "impish humor and his playful language were infectious, never more so than in his Old Mother Hubbard's Dog books published by Walker in the 1980s and still in print today. His witty texts were the perfect channel for Quentin Blake's riotous illustrations and will continue to be enjoyed by future generations. We mourn the loss of a unique writer."
Farshore's Tiffany Leeson noted that a 2017 exhibition at the House of Illustration, Quentin Blake and John Yeoman: 50 Years of Children's Books, "is without question one of the most extraordinary exhibitions I've ever been to. Thank goodness for their enduring friendship and collaborations through the years. The combination of silliness, magic and fable in John's incredible stories have captivated children for over half a century. John's passing is a huge loss to the world of children's books and we will be forever grateful for the stories he's given us."
Roger Thorp at Thames & Hudson commented: "We at Thames & Hudson have been lucky enough to be able to republish two wonderful publications by John and Quentin: The Boy Who Sprouted Antlers and their very first collaboration, A Drink of Water. It has been a privilege and a huge pleasure to publish with such a remarkable writer."
Charlie Sheppard at Andersen Press said: "John was a wonderfully inventive, comic writer who changed the perception of how picture books can entertain children and families. We are proud to have published some of his classic collaborations with Quentin Blake--which remain in print for a new generation of children to love."
Yeoman's agent, Caradoc King of United Agents, said: "To have represented John Yeoman, sometimes individually and most often through his professional partnership with Quentin Blake, for most his professional life at both A.P. Watt and United Agents has been an exceptional and hugely enjoyable experience. He was a brilliant children's storyteller."