Anyone who was young in the 1990s, or had a small child in the 90s is probably aware of “Guess How Much I Love You”, a children’s book where a ‘Big Nutbrown Hare’ professes to love ‘Little Nutbrown Hare’, all the way to the moon (and back again) in a positive outpouring of love played out in a childish game.
And it’s possible then that you feel as sad as I do today to hear the news that the author Sam Bratney, has died aged 77. On Monday Walker Books announced that the author passed away on 18th September.
Bratney was a Northern Irish author who wrote a selection of children’s books, but of these, none captured the imagination quite like Guess How Much I Love You, which has sold 50 million copies since its release in 1994. A sequel to the first book, called Will You Be My Friend? Is due to come out next week and will be released on 29th September.
McBratney is survived by his wife of 56 years, Maralyn, their three children, and six grandchildren.
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