Legendary children's author and illustrator, political cartoonist, and screenwriter Jules Feiffer has died at age 95.

His most famous and impactful children's work was the illustration of Norman Juster's The Phantom Tollbooth in 1961, but his prolific career produced many beloved kids' titles and continued into his 90s. His most recent children's title was a middle grade graphic novel, Amazing Grapes, released in September. The SLJ review called it a "wacky yet deep story" that explores themes of identity, home, and betrayal.

"RIP Jules Feiffer," children's illustrator Debbie Ridpath Ohi posted on BlueSky. "I adored his art in The Phantom Tollbooth, a big influence on me as a young artist. I still have the copy I bought at a book sale at my local library."

Children's author S. F. Said also took to BlueSky to remember Feiffer, writing about The Phantom Tollbooth and the impact that the best children's books have on their readers: "THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH was one of my favourite books as a child; it's still one of my favourite books today. If anything, I love it even more. Great children's books are like that. They shape you at the very deepest levels; they make you who you are, and they stay with you forever. RIP Jules Feiffer."

Fans and colleagues inspired by his work also remembered The Great Comic Book Heroes, released in 1965, and later children's titles including Bark, George.

SLJ had the honor of having Feiffer illustrate its 50th anniversary cover, as well as provide an interior illustration for a story in the issue. Art director Mark Tuchman remembers being excited but also intimidated about working with Feiffer. The Phantom Tollbooth was a childhood favorite of Tuchman's, and Feiffer's later books lsuch as Bark, George and I Lost My Bear became favorites of his kids. But Tuchman needn't have been concerned.

"I was quickly put at ease by Jules’s professionalism and approachability," Tuchman says. "He had an idea right away and based the dancing character on the right on a family member. Dancers and top hats are recurring visual themes in Feiffer’s work. Jules Feiffer’s characters, dressed to the nines and celebrating SLJ, felt like the perfect fit for this cover! ... What an honor and a joy to have been able to work with Mr. Feiffer. The 50th anniversary issue remains one of my favorite all-time SLJ covers!"