Death of children’s author Jeremy Strong prompts Ukrainian memories

English children’s author Jeremy Strong passed away earlier this week at age 74. Strong was best known for writing humorous stories for children, and his books were specifically adapted for kids with dyslexia. Strong’s work touched many Ukrainian families, and forged unforgettable connections with the literary community during visits to Ukraine.

Jeremy Strong was born in London in 1949. Prior to becoming a writer, he worked as a baker by putting the jam into three thousand doughnuts every night. Strong studied English at the University of York, and later became a primary school teacher and a headmaster. In 1991, Strong left teaching for good to turn to writing full time.

During his creative career, Jeremy Strong wrote roughly 100 books for children and teenagers. In the UK, his books were published by major children’s publishers Puffin and Scholastic. According to the Bookseller, Strong’s books have sold 1.6 million copies, generating £6.3 million in revenue.

“The humor in Jeremy Strong’s books is universal,” – the Old Lion Publishing House posted on their social networks.“It will make both children and adults, looking for a respite in reading, laugh. Jeremy Strong always wrote with insight and ease, and his characters never tried to be polite — just genuine and sincere. They inspire readers to live their own lives, pursue the wildest ideas, and not worry about what others might think. Jeremy Strong managed to maintain a childlike spontaneity and curiosity about the world throughout his life. His stories encourage us to preserve that spirit, regardless of age or circumstances.” 

Ukrainian writer Kateryna Mikhalitsyna said Jeremy Strong, with his wife Gilly, visited Lviv to attend the Book Forum Lviv (formerly named The Lviv Publishers’ Forum). He also attended the Youth Theatre, where he drew a full house of children. He was notably interested in the topic of Euromaidan back in 2014 and expressed extensive support for Ukrainians.

“One of the first authors I interpreted for, and it was a stressful yet a wonderful learning experience. Strong was our voice during the time of Euromaidan — writing extensively, asking questions, trying to understand and share. We didn’t communicate later, but I remember how, during the opening of the Forum, where he was the only children’s author, Jeremy said:

Being here among so many esteemed adult writers is an honor and recognition for me as a children’s author. On the other hand, dear adult authors, if it weren’t for us, the children’s writers, there would simply be no one to read your works.

I hold on to that phrase when I lose my literary purpose, when it seems that writing for children is just an ephemeral thing that doesn’t change anything in this world. I know it does. It helps to grow readers, thoughtful and empathetic people, with little lights of many worlds inside them. Thank you, Jeremy,” Mikhalitsyna wrote.

Tetyana Pylypets, the director of Lviv regional library for youth named after Roman Ivanychuk recollects meeting Jeremy Strong:

… He was a firefly for me during the dark days of Maidan… As a smiling sun he shaped an era of modern children’s literature. He’ll be now writing his comedies in the writers’ paradise …

In Ukraine, Jeremy Strong’s books have been published by the Old Lion Publishing House since 2005 as part of the “Reading for Laughs” series. These include tales about the Hundred-Mile-an-Hour Dog, the four-legged rocket of a dog, the new school teacher Mrs. Stinkbomb, a brother who’s a TV star, mischievous twins, and more. 

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Image: Hay Festival, Paul Musso

Copy editing: Terra Friedman King