Remembering Jane Yolen

The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), and the children’s book world, is saddened by the news that author, mentor and friend, Jane Yolen, has died. She was 87 and her loss cannot be measured.

For the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, her passing is especially poignant. She was with us at our founding in 1971 and played a significant role in our development.

We first met Jane through Sue Alexander, another early member. Sue had seen Jane speak at a children’s book event in Colorado and wondered whether she would be willing to keynote our very first conference, even though we were expecting only about 50 attendees. Without hesitation Jane replied YES! Over the next half century, despite her busy schedule, she supported the organization, mentored members, and became a warm and faithful friend. We mourn her passing.

In retrospect, it seems that Jane was bound for a career in the arts from an early age. At seven years old, she once told a biographer how she and her younger brother, Steven, would print up and distribute a weekly newsletter to their friends and relatives in their New York neighborhood.

Following high school, Jane moved to Massachusetts and enrolled in Smith College. It was there that she discovered her love for the written word. Most of her early work was in poetry, and her poems were so moving that year after year she won the award for best poetry.

After college Jane moved to New York and found work as an editor at a respected publishing house. Although she was a good editor, poetry remained her real passion. That was until one day, on a whim, she switched gears and wrote a children’s book titled Pirates in Petticoats. 

Proud of the story, she sent it off to a publishing house. One wintry day in February, she received a letter from the publisher informing her that they wanted her book! The good news called for a double celebration, as it was also her birthday. She was turning twenty- two.

Coincidence? Maybe? But, in any case, the rest is literary history.

Jane went on to write more than 400 books across nearly every category. These books were not assembly line tales cranked out featuring cookie cutter characters and tired plots. No matter the genre, Jane's books were penned with the utmost concern for the child who might someday pick them up and devote their time to reading the words she wrote.

This is something we might all aspire to do.

Jane’s books have won countless awards including a Caldecott Medal, two Christopher Medals, two Nebula Awards, three World Fantasy Awards, a Regina Medal, and many more. If you wish you can find a complete list online.

There is one accolade that does not carry with it a trophy, a certificate, or a medal. Instead, it is a simple celebration of her work, bestowed upon her by her many peers:

THE MODERN DAY HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN

Along with her loving children, Heidi, Jason, and Adam, and her husband, Peter, we mourn her loss. We know her books will live on for generations to come.