06/11/2026
Dear Friends,
We at R. Michelson Galleries are very sad to note the passing of Jane Yolen.
Quite simply Jane was a treasure, and it is difficult to think of the world of books—indeed the world itself--without her.
It is one thing to say that Jane published 450 books, but quite another to contemplate the quality of her writing. The Devil’s Arithmetic, How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight, Owl Moon, Jane created classics as if it were as easy as breathing (it was not, she was a tireless worker and often shared her process). A consummate storyteller Jane was called the American Hans Christian Andersen.
Children’s books, novels, sci-fi—there was barely an award she did not win. Her titles have garnered a Caldecott Medal, the Jewish Book Award, the Massachusetts Book Award, two Christopher Medals, the Sydney Taylor Body of Work Award, the Catholic Libraries Medal, the World Fantasy Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and on and on.
What those awards and kudos do not tell you, however, is how kind Jane was to younger writers and illustrators. She mentored generations of aspiring authors. There is nary a writer working today that has not been influenced by her work and her generosity.
In 2009 we were proud to present Jane with the 2nd Annual Norton Juster Award for Lifetime Contribution to Children’s Literacy (Norton himself received the 1st Award). In 2004, we filled the entire gallery with illustrations from her books alone.
We will miss Jane greatly and send our condolences to Heidi, Adam and Jason. How lucky we all are to have shared this planet with such a kind and consummate storyteller.
