Lloyd Alexander (1924-2007)
Categories: Award Winners , Children's Books
Newbery Medallist Lloyd Alexander, often credited as the father of children’s fantasy, passed away Friday morning at the age of 83 after a long illness.
Alexander began his groundbreaking Chronicles of Prydain series in 1964 with the publication of The Book of Three. The five-volume series details the adventures of Taran, who is awarded the honor of Assistant Pig Keeper, but dreams of being a hero. The series, loosely based on Welsh mythology, follows Taran’s coming of age. The first two books form the basis of the Disney animated film, The Black Cauldron. The concluding book of the series, The High King, was award the Newbery Medal in 1969.
Alexander also won the National Book Award twice- in 1971 for The Marvelous Misadventures of Sebastian about a 19th century fiddle and in 1982 for Westmark which tells a story of political upheavel through the eyes of a young printer’s apprentice. He was a finalist five additional times.
In all, Alexander wrote more than 35 books for young people. His final novel, The Golden Dream of Carlo Chuchio, will be published this August. In regard to its completion Alexander is quoted as saying, “I have finished my life work."
