British author Lynne Reid Banks, who has penned many successful children’s novels, has reportedly died at the age of 94. Banks wrote the tremendously popular book, “The Indian in the Cupboard,” which became a bestseller.
She also wrote “The L-Shaped Room,” which was her fist novel published back in 1961. Banks wrote her bestseller “The Indian in the Cupboard,” back in 1980. She was born in Britain, but was moved to Canada during an evacuation effort during World War 2.
Legacy.com reports on her death,
Banks was best known by many for her 1980 children’s novel, “The Indian in the Cupboard,” in which a boy discovers a magical cupboard that will bring to life any toy he puts into it. The award-winning book was adapted into a movie directed by Frank Oz, and Banks wrote four sequels. But her career wasn’t solely focused on writing for children, despite the success of the series.
Banks’ first novel, 1961’s “The L-Shaped Room,” was decidedly for adults, centering on a young woman who becomes unexpectedly pregnant from a one-night stand and considers abortion before deciding to have the baby. It, too, was adapted into a film, starring Leslie Caron, and it was a formative read for many young women. Banks wrote a dozen other novels for adults, and even more for children and teens. Her books for young readers included the “Harry the Poisonous Centipede” series, “Angela and Diabola,” and “The Fairy Rebel.” Most recently, Banks published the 2022 children’s novel “The Red Red Dragon.”
Legacy.com
Before becoming an author, Banks worked as a journalist for British TV. Banks published books all the way up until 2022, when she released “The Red Red Dragon.” She officially published her novels for 61 tremendous years.
Banks also reportedly lived in Israel for a short time with her husband before returning to her home of Britain in the 1970s. During a 2013 interview with Middle Grade Ninja, Banks told an interviewer about writing,
“I don’t think you can be taught to write. You can do it or you can’t, and you do do it, or you don’t. But you can improve. And the only way I know to do that is to read good books and talk to articulate people who keep quoting Shakespeare.”
Lynne Reid Banks
One person who claimed to have worked with Banks posted the following message on her Twitter account,
Such sad news about Lynne Reid Banks. She was a formidable lady who kept you on your toes but I loved working with her. For clarity, I was passing her books to sign not playing rugby with her!
Jo Williamson
Rest in peace, legend!
