NEW YORK (AP) 鈥� J.K. Rowling is praising the longtime head of the U.S. publisher of her "Harry Potter鈥� books as an ally and early defender of the beloved fantasy series. Richard Robinson, who led Scholastic Inc. for more than 40 years, .
鈥淒ick was a wise, kind and humane man, who leaves behind him an extraordinary legacy in the world of children鈥檚 literature,鈥� Rowling said in a statement Monday. 鈥淗e was an early champion of Harry Potter and a stalwart support to me through the twenty-four years we knew each other.鈥�
Other Scholastic writers are also mourning Robinson, a champion of literacy and free expression who in 2017 received a National Book Award for lifetime achievement and was honored two years later by PEN America.
Brian Selznick praised the 鈥渢he power of his leadership and the clarity of his mission,鈥� and Ruby Bridges, who as an author drew upon her experiences as the first Black child to attend an all-white New Orleans elementary school, called Robinson a 鈥渇riend and mentor.鈥�
鈥淐aptain Underpants鈥� creator Dav Pilkey, whose books often were targeted by censors, said in a statement that Robinson was 鈥渕ore than just a visionary and a publisher. He was a brave explorer who didn鈥檛 worry about risks.鈥�
鈥淗e opened the door for us to dream big,鈥� Pilkey said. 鈥淗e was a writer and artist himself and fought for the equality and acceptance of all people. I will miss his sharp wit, forward vision, and the overwhelming love he gave to me and my family.鈥�
The Associated Press
