@PawelK Maybe not dead and gone in some ways, but yes can be sad in the composting of people to think there are not physically there or even transcended partially somewhat somewhere else (if not just left a few nice books on their way)

Though I don't claim to know what transcending means other than *maybe* transferred somehow... and my point in reply was really about how it's only sad when we learn about someone dying...

and even sadder when it's through the NY Times or mainstream... (ok ok sorry)

So apart from hating mainstream news what I really mean is...

It's more sad for me if it's really sad for you (i.e. if you really were a follower of children's books or tried to contact the author before or did something in the realm of all this... >_<

if not it's a touch less sad (still sad but like watching news but not really caring or making attempts before just a kind of empty nostalgia and feeling of loss for something you honestly had very little attention for but now you remember that one (or two) books but not much else, which still has a bit of condolence I guess )

Seems harsh but I'm hoping you have a children's book in mind or a story to share...

** more than sad news link... **

and just to practise a bit of dark humour ---> a few more popped off during this message. Probably nice people ~I dunno~.
Currently Masai being chased off lands (which I do think about but not to make it a comparison - it's still what it is for you and the children's books)
R.I.PEACE