Renowned children’s author and illustrator Hudson Talbott dies

CATSKILL―Hudson Talbott, a highly acclaimed children’s book author and illustrator who called Catskill home, passed away on January 22. He was 76.

With more than 27 books to his name, Talbott’s most famous work, We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story, was adapted into a 1993 full-length animated film produced by Steven Spielberg's Amblimation studio.

He illustrated the Newbury Honor winner Show Way and the celebrated Leonardo's Horse by Jean Fritz; and collaborated with composer Stephen Sondheim on a book variation of the musical Into the Woods. Two of his other titles, River of Dreams: The Story of the Hudson River and O'Sullivan Stew, were made into children's musicals.

Talbott grew up in Louisville, KY and, according to his website, was the youngest of four children and “the only one with an interest in the arts.”

“Despite his parents' orientation toward sports, they supported his artistic pursuits, allowing him to study art in Italy,” his website notes.

“After living abroad for several years Hudson began his career in New York as a freelance designer/illustrator commissioned by The Metropolitan Museum, The Metropolitan Opera, Bloomingdale's, and the Museum of Modern Art, among others. With the Museum of Modern Art, Hudson created his first children's book called How to Show Grown-Ups the Museum,” Talbott’s website states.

“Hudson's lifelong impulse to travel has informed the subject matter of several of his books. Amazon Diary came after his trip to the Amazon rainforest where he journeyed with a jungle doctor who brought malaria medicine to remote indigenous tribes. Safari Journal was the product of his travels with a wildlife veterinarian in Kenya,” the website states.

Carlo DeVito, a publishing executive, author and owner of the Hudson-Chatham Winery, was among those who posted to social media following news of Talbott’s death.

“A huge loss for Catskill. An even bigger loss for generations of young readers he inspired. He will be sorely missed by the denizens of this little burg. His recent absence has been felt, and his departure leaves a big hole in our community,” DeVito wrote.

DeVito described Talbott as “one of the leaders who helped birth modern Catskill.”

“He was a tireless booster of the town. And a terrific man about town. Funny, acerbic, dedicated. But more importantly (to me) Hudson was a celebrated author―far beyond my humble efforts,” DeVito stated. “He was a genuine person―at least always with me and those who knew him. An incredibly accomplished individual, he was seemingly modest beyond measure.”

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Robert Gaus of Traver & McCurry Funeral Home in Catskill. Obituary information and memorial arrangements have not yet been announced.

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