By Daphne Yan
On October 31st, 2016, the author of the novel Tuck Everlasting, Natalie Babbitt, passed away at the age of 84 due to lung cancer.
Babbitt wrote and illustrated books for children, covering topics such as death and immortality, and taught children many important lessons. She illustrated and wrote dozens of books, including Tuck Everlasting, a novel read by many students throughout their school years, and Kneeknock Rise, a recipient of the Newbery Honor Award. She won the hearts of people through her books.
Her imagination reflected events as her children grew up. She was motivated to write Tuck Everlasting when her daughter, at four years old, cried because she was afraid of dying. Thus, Natalie Babbitt wrote a book concerning issues of immortality.
She leaves behind her husband, three children, and three grandchildren. Her husband describes her as a loving, wonderful, and remarkable woman. Her ambition was to “just leave a little scratch on the rock”, which her husband claimed was what she did within Tuck Everlasting.
Although she may have left her family and all of us, our love for her will always be everlasting.
Sources:
Roberts, Sam. “Natalie Babbitt, 84, Dies; Took On Immortality in ‘Tuck Everlasting.’” The New York Times, The New York Times, 1 Nov. 2016, www.nytimes.com/2016/11/02/books/natalie-babbitt-died-tuck-everlasting.html?_r=0.
“Natalie Babbitt, Author of Young-Adult Classic ‘Tuck Everlasting,’ Dies at 84.” The Washington Post, WP Company, www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/natalie-babbitt-author-of-young-adult-classic-tuck-everlasting-dies-at-84/2016/11/01/d3973c76-a03b-11e6-a44d-cc2898cfab06_story.html.
Associated Press. “’Tuck Everlasting’ Author Natalie Babbitt Dies at 84.” Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-natalie-babbitt-20161101-story.html.
Sauro, William E. “Natalie Babbitt, 84, Author of Young-Adult Classic ‘Tuck Everlasting’ – The Boston Globe.” BostonGlobe.com, 5 Nov. 2016, www.bostonglobe.com/metro/obituaries/2016/11/04/natalie-babbitt-author-young-adult-classic-tuck-everlasting/ZsvEQ9jA0ZhbeziZGIvQAM/story.html.
