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Anna Elizabeth Dewdney (née Luhrmann; December 25, 1965 – September 3, 2016) was an American author and illustrator of children's books. The first book she wrote and illustrated, Llama Llama Red Pajama, received critical acclaim in 2005. She wrote numerous other books in the Llama Llama series, which have all been New York Times bestsellers. Her work has been adapted into stage plays, dance performances, musicals, and an animated television series for Netflix. Many states and non-profits use her books for literacy campaigns and programs, including the Library of Congress.
She attended The Elisabeth Morrow School through the ninth grade.Levin, Jay. "Anna Dewdney, children's author, illustrator of Llama Llama stories, dies at 50" , The Record (Bergen County), September 7, 2016. Accessed September 7, 2016. "That's doubly appropriate: The charming picture book deals with a little llama's separation anxiety on the first day of preschool. And Dewdney grew up in Englewood.... Dewdney, daughter of Winifred Luhrmann, also a writer, and Dr. George Luhrmann, a psychiatrist, attended the independent Elisabeth Morrow School and Dwight-Englewood School"<1979 yearbook> She continued her high school studies at Phillips Academy (Andover) and then transferred to The Putney School, graduating in 1985. She earned a bachelor's degree in Art from Wesleyan University in 1987.
Before her work became well-known, Dewdney worked as a waitress, a rural Mail carrier, and a remedial language, art and history teacher at the Greenwood School with her partner, Reed Duncan.
She and Duncan lived in Vermont until her death at age 50 from complications of brain cancer.
The Llama Llama series is highly popular among parents, teachers, and booksellers; in 2011, a Miami, Florida bookseller had the Llama Llama character on her arm for a bookstore event.
Dewdney's books have been translated into more than thirteen languages, including Chinese language, Hebrew language, Korean language, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Polish language, Spanish language, Russian language, Latvian language, Romanian, Hungarian, Italian language, and German language.
Partial proceeds from some of her works go toward environmental awareness and conservation efforts, most notably pangolin conservation in southeast Asia. Conversation research wwct.org.uk
Llama Llama was adapted as an animated children's television series for Netflix. The show was produced by Genius Brands and was initially directed by Rob Minkoff and Saul Andrew Blinkoff. Jane Startz served as the series producer, and Joe Purdy was the series showrunner. Reed Duncan, the show's co-creator, served as executive producer. Duncan, Startz, and Purdy wrote and created all of the show's main storylines. Dewdney and Duncan wrote the lyrics for the signature theme song. The series has been translated into over 22 different languages and is broadcast in dozens of countries worldwide.
Llama Llama Red Pajama was chosen as Jumpstart's Read for the Record book in 2011, setting the world's record for most readings of a particular book on one day. This event was recorded on the Today show on October 6 of the same year, where her work was read live to the national television audience.
Dewdney's work has been adapted into stage plays, dance performances, and musicals, most notably by Dolly Parton at Dollywood. "Dollywood Penguin Players Bring Kids' Book to Life" The Dolly Parton Foundation also chose her Llama Llama series for The Imagination Library, a not-for-profit organization serving young children through book donations.
Many states and not-for-profit organizations use Dewdney's books for literacy campaigns and programs, including the Library of Congress, which featured her work and a live reading by Dewdney at its 2012 National Book Festival.
Dewdney's work is highly acclaimed by critics and is often recommended on booklists by national reviewers.
Other awards
Selected works
External links
Categories: 1965 Births, 2016 Deaths, American Children's Writers, American Women Children's Writers, The Putney School Alumni, Wesleyan University Alumni, American Women Children's Book Illustrators, 21st-century American Women Writers, American Children's Book Illustrators, Deaths From Brain Cancer In The United States, Writers From Englewood, New Jersey, Writers From New York City
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