Beloved children's author and illustrator David McKee has died aged 87. The creator of best loved stories including Elmer, Mr Benn and Not Now,Bernard passed away surrounded by his family, following a short illness.

Devon-born McKee studied at Plymouth Art College. At the end of his life he split his time between his home in London and in Provence with his long-term partner, Bakhta.

In the early part of his career, McKee regularly drew and sold humorous drawings to magazines and newspapers such as The Times Educational Supplement, Punch and the Reader’s Digest. David McKee had written and illustrated over 50 picture books for Andersen Press and penned a number of children’s classics. 

In 2011, McKee was awarded an honorary doctorate from the Open University at Plymouth College of Art. In 2020, he won the BookTrust Lifetime Achievement Award and Illustrator of the Year at the British Book Awards. 

Speaking to BookTrust in 2020 David said, 'Children's books can contribute to changing attitudes and are instrumental in helping children shape their view of the world. Picture books are a child's first glimpse into the art world and in some way, especially with some of my books, the illustrations are actually more important than the story.'

Having sold over 10 million copies, Elmer is one of the most well known and widely read children’s book series. 29 original Elmer books have been translated into more than 60 languages and all around the world, the much loved character has been made into toys and clothing.

Visit our Elmer Channel to find out more about the delightful and delightfully different elephant. 

Scroll down for a selection of David McKee's incredible legacy to children's literature - and find his full book collection here.