RIP Margaret Mahy

Farewell Margaret Mahy. The prolific children's book author died yesterday at age 76 following a short battle with cancer. Her name has been synonymous with bedtime for generations of people around the world. Her wacky stories about pirates, lions and witches enriched the dream lands of us all.

The Witch in the Cherry Tree is my best loved Margaret Mahy book. I also have fond memories of reading Underunners as an eight year old, and how much did we all want a lion to live in our meadow?

Here's an obituary by the Guardian, one from her friend Graeme Beattie, and one on Stuff