Home / Arts and Entertainment / Children's Book Visionary Deirdre McDermott Passes
Children's Book Visionary Deirdre McDermott Passes
3 Nov
Summary
- McDermott shaped children's literature for 25 years at Walker Books.
- She discovered new talent like Flavia Z Drago and Forest Xiao.
- Her focus was on 'preverbal' stories and emotional honesty in books.
Deirdre McDermott, who passed away at 60 after a battle with cancer, was the leading creative force behind Walker Books' acclaimed children's publications for a quarter-century. She nurtured a legacy of works from renowned authors and illustrators, including Helen Oxenbury and Maurice Sendak.
McDermott possessed a remarkable talent for identifying emerging artists, discovering authors such as Flavia Z Drago, who became a New York Times bestseller, and Forest Xiao, winner of the Klaus Flugge prize. She joined Walker Books in 1989, progressing from junior designer to picture book publisher in 2002.
Her passion lay in "preverbal" stories, focusing on visual narratives understandable to very young children. McDermott emphasized emotional honesty, ensuring characters had agency and authentic responses. She also championed the use of white space, allowing readers' imaginations to flourish.
Originally from Dublin, McDermott graduated from the National College of Art and Design before moving to London. Her tenure saw numerous award-winning books, including six Carnegie Medals for illustration. She is survived by her husband, father, siblings, and nieces and nephews.
