Astrid Lindgren has died

She reached a remarkable age of 94 years before succumbing to a long illness in her hometown of Stockholm. Among her works, which have been adapted into both animated and live-action films, are Pippi Longstocking and Ronia the Robber's Daughter. Elements of her distinctive storytelling can also be found in some Japanese works, and through her unconventional portrayal of female heroines—a recurring theme in her writing—she provided significant inspiration to the genre. Her passing leaves yet another gap in the once-proud ranks of successful 20th-century children's book authors.