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| Eve Bunting (photo: Christine Bunting) |
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Eve Bunting, the author of more than 250 books for young people whose career spanned 50 years, died October 1. She was 94. Bunting's works ranged from charming, rhyming animal stories and Irish folk tales to more serious titles focused on socially conscious topics such as homelessness, displacement, and environmental concerns. Many have been translated into multiple languages. Her latest work, Alligators, Alligators (2023) was published this past August.
As a picture book author, Bunting worked with many gifted illustrators. Her first book, The Two Giants (1971), was illustrated Eric Von Schmidt, and over the years she collaborated with many other illustrators, including Jan Brett, Lauren Castillo, David Diaz, Ronald Himler, Emily Arnold McCully, Wendell Minor, Barry Moser, Sergio Ruzzier, Chris Soentpiet, and David Wiesner.
Born in Northern Ireland in 1928, Bunting was frequently asked as a child to give oral recitals of verse and biblical writing, which developed a sense of language and rhyme that sustained her through the many talks, addresses, and readings she gave at conferences and libraries throughout her career and in the writing courses she taught.
In 1958, she moved with her husband and three children to California, where she began her writing career in her 40s after participating in a local community college writing course.
She was an active member of several professional writing groups, including her beloved "Lunch Bunch" in Southern California. For years, she was on the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators board of advisors. Her literary papers and books are archived at the Kerlan Children's Literature Research Collection at the University of Minnesota.
Her many honors include the Kerlan Award, the Jane Addams Children's Book Award, the Arab American Book Award, the Western Writers of America Award, the Southern California Council on Literature for Children and Young People Award, and a PEN Los Angeles Center Special Achievement Award for her contribution to children's literature.
In addition, she was presented with the SCBWI's Golden Kite Award for One More Flight (1976), the Edgar Award for best juvenile mystery for Coffin on a Case (1991), and the Regina Medal in 1997 from the Catholic Library Association. Bunting is also author of the Caldecott Medal-winning Smoky Night, illustrated by David Diaz (1994). A PBS production, Reading Rainbow: The Wall, inspired by Bunting's book The Wall (1990) and presented by LeVar Burton, was a Peabody Award winner.
"Through these books and many more, Eve captivated readers with gentle, emotionally honest stories that reflected her warmth, humor, and deep respect for young people. Many of them are now considered classics," said her publisher, HarperCollins Children's Books, adding: "Eve had a full and happy life filled with love and many personal achievements, and she leaves behind joyous and loving memories for her family, and a legacy of wonderful books for all children to enjoy. Her writing and spirit will live on with each new generation of young readers."