Shirley Barber

Shirley Barber (23 June 1935 – 12 December 2023) was a British children's author and illustrator.

Born on 23 June 1935, Shirley spent her early childhood in Guernsey (Channel Islands). She had formal art school training at Sanderson's Furnishings, a textile and wallpaper studio in London.

Barber was a long time resident in Australia having emigrated there in 1965 and worked for a time for Oxford University Press in Melbourne, Victoria. She lived in Watsonia, a suburb of Melbourne, with her son and his family and was married twice. Her second husband Keith Barber died in 2000.

Barber wrote many picture books and fairy-themed colouring books, calendars and diaries, which have sold over 10 million copies as of 2008. Most of Barber's books featured fairies and animals. Her books were mainly set in picturesque woods. Her books were published in 18 languages.

Barber died at her home in Watsonia on 12 December 2023, at the age of 88. Provided by Wikipedia