Prolific children’s author Jane Yolen dies at 87

HATFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - Children’s author Jane Yolen died Thursday at age 87.

Her daughter, author Heidi E.Y. Stemple, posted the news on Instagram and said her mother “had one of the most brilliant creative minds of our time” and noted that Yolen’s 450th book was published this year.

Yolen was known for authoring many works including “Owl Moon,” “Pirates in Petticoats,” and the “How Do Dinosaurs…” series. She lived in Hatfield, taught at Smith College, and received six honorary doctorates.

Yolen leaves behind a brother, three children, five grandchildren, and several other family members.

In lieu of flowers, the family said memorial donations may be made to the Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple Scholarship at Boyds Mills, the Jane Yolen Midlist Grant at the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), or the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.