Farewell, Kazuo Iwamura

Acclaimed Japanese artist Kazuo Iwamura passes away at 85
Kazuo Iwamura (1939-2024), the creator of the Squirrel series and the 14 Mice series, passed away on December 19, 2024, at the age of 85. His books were originally published in Japan in the 1980’s, and his “Hooray For” titles featuring the squirrel siblings were recently re-released in the US by NorthSouth Books. In 1998, Iwamura opened the Kazuo Iwamura Picture Book Museum of the Hill in Nasu-Karasuyama, Tochigi Prefecture, where he promoted the art of the picture book and the inspiration of nature to visitors of all ages.
Herwig Bitsche, publisher of NorthSouth and NordSüd, remembers Iwamura: “We are deeply grateful to Kazuo Iwamura . . . for trusting us with his stories. Kazuo Iwamura has passed, but his stories will live on in the hearts of many children.”
In a recent interview with NorthSouth, Iwamura said: “It’s really essential for children not only to have top class picture books but also to become familiar with the real world of nature.”
Read the full interview with Kazuo Iwamura here.
You can view Kazuo Iwamura’s titles here.