25, 1959, in Ridgefield, Connecticut, studied art history at New York University for two years and then enrolled as a painter at the Parsons School of Design. He also created 30 magazine covers for The New Yorker.įalconer was born Aug. In 2022, he published a new book for children called “Two Dogs.” He told National Public Radio last year the characters, a pair of dachshunds named Perry and Augie, were inspired by his nephews.įalconer was also a designer of sets and costumes for ballet and opera companies around the world including numerous productions by the New York City Ballet. He wrote and illustrated seven sequels, the last of which was “Olivia the Spy” in 2017. It stayed on the New York Times bestseller list for over a year, was awarded the Caldecott Honor and has sold over 10 million copies. The first book in the series, called “Olivia,' was published in 2000. 'I also thought my instincts about the story were, if unpolished, right, and had happened organically with the pictures.” “I am afraid my vanity wouldn’t allow me to relegate myself to ‘illustrated by,’' he said. He turned down publishers who wanted the text be written by an outside author.

Family members and friends encouraged him to keep working on the character. He was 63.įalconer’s “Olivia” books featured a clever piglet with a great imagination named Olivia, a character he developed for his young niece in 1996.

Rippy said Falconer died Tuesday of natural causes while with family in Norwalk, Connecticut. Author and illustrator Ian Woodward Falconer, known for his “Olivia” book series for children, has died.įalconer’s lawyer and agent Conrad M.

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