Beloved author of The Tiger Who Came to Tea Judith Kerr has died aged 95

Judith Kerr wrote the popular ‘The Tiger Who Came to Tea’ book in 1965 and HarperCollins have paid tribute to her. 

In a statement, Ann-Janine Murtagh, executive publisher HarperCollins Children's Books, said: ‘It has been the greatest honour and privilege to know and publish Judith Kerr for over a decade, though of course her history with HarperCollins goes back over fifty years.

‘She came to visit our offices frequently - always bringing her books in person; often arriving on the number 9 bus and leaving us all full of laughter and in awe of her astonishing zest for life and absolute commitment to delivering the very best books for children.’

Ms Murtagh added that the author's ‘incisive wit and dry humour made her both excellent company and a joy to publish. My thoughts at this time are with her children, Matthew and Tacy, and her grandchildren.’

Charlie Redmayne, CEO of HarperCollins, said: ‘Judith Kerr was a wonderful and inspiring person who was much loved by everyone at HarperCollins. She was a brilliantly talented artist and storyteller who has left us an extraordinary body of work.

‘Always understated and very, very funny, Judith loved life and loved people - and particularly she loved a party. Beautifully dressed and with a smile on her face she would light up the room and would always be one of the last to leave.

‘Time spent in her company was one of life's great privileges and I am so grateful to have known her.’

Judith was born in Germany in 1923 but her family fled to the UK just before the Nazi’s came to power in the 1930s. 

As well as the Tiger Who Came to Tea, which has remained popular for over 50 years, she also wrote the semi-autobiographical ‘When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit’ about the rise of the Nazis.