‘Legendary author and illustrator’ Judith Kerr, aged 95

Judith Kerr has been remembered as a “legendary author and illustrator” whose books will live on after her death aged 95.

Kerr, who wrote and illustrated a number of enduring children’s books including The Tiger Who Came To Tea, died at home on Wednesday following a short illness, her publisher HarperCollins said.

A much-loved classic, The Tiger Who Came To Tea has sold more than five million copies since it was first published in 1968, and it has never been out of print.

Kerr’s other works include When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit and the Mog the Cat series.

Leading the tributes to Kerr was children’s author and TV star David Walliams, who tweeted: “She was a legendary author and illustrator, whose stories and illustrations gave pleasure to millions around the world, not least me and my son. Judith is gone but her books will live on forever.”

Composer Howard Goodall tweeted: “Adieu, beloved friend & neighbour, bonus grandmum to our girls, gentle, wry, unique Judy.”

Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis tweeted: “I remember asking #JudithKerr Kerr if the tiger symbolised the 1960s sexual revolution where normal mores and suburban life became upended by this wild and exotic creature. She told me no, it was about a tiger coming to tea.”

Publisher Ann-Janine Murtagh, of HarperCollins Children’s Books, said that it had “been the greatest honour and privilege” to have known and worked with Kerr for more than a decade.

This year, Channel 4 announced a special animated adaptation of The Tiger Who Came To Tea, which tells the story of a tea-guzzling tiger, who turns up unannounced and eats Sophie and her mum out of house and home.

Her other literary success, When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit, is a semi-autobiographical tale about a young Jewish girl forced to flee Germany in 1933.

The author spoke of her joy at the fact that actor Benedict Cumberbatch narrated the story as part of a 50th anniversary celebration at Storystock Festival, held last year, saying that he was a “wonderful man” and that it was “the only time I’ve ever been able to impress my children”.

Born in Berlin in 1923, Kerr came to England after escaping the Nazis.

Her father Alfred,was a Jewish theatre critic and satirical writer, who fled to Zurich in 1933, followed soon after by his wife Julia and two children, Michael and Judith.

It was while working at the BBC as a scriptwriter that she met her husband, the late writer Thomas Nigel Kneale, with whom she had two children, Matthew and Tacy.

Kerr was appointed OBE in 2012 for her services to children’s literature and Holocaust education.

Judith Kerr OBE has died aged 95.