Tomie dePaola, beloved author and illustrator of Strega Nona, has died at 85.

Tomie dePaola, celebrated author and illustrator who delighted millions of children with his warm and witty books, died on Monday in Lebanon, New Hampshire, from complications after surgery for a fall he had suffered last week. He was 85.

The winner the 2011 Children’s Literature Legacy Award for his “innate understanding of childhood, a distinctive visual style, and a remarkable ability to adapt his voice to perfectly suit the story,” dePaola wrote and/or illustrated over 270 books, including Strega Nona, Oliver Button Is a Sissy, 26 Fairmount Avenue, and Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs. Some 25 million copies of his books have been sold in over 20 languages.

Now might be a good time to listen to dePaola himself read you Strega Nona:

[via AP]