It is with deep sadness we share with you the passing of Canadian author-illustrator Loris Lesynski.
“Loris Lesynski, half PolskI, half Finski, likes to write poems that make people grinski.”
Loris Lesynski, a giant in Canadian children’s literature, has passed away. As author and illustrator of 16 books, all published by Annick Press, Loris enchanted audiences throughout North America whether there were two or two thousand people in attendance. Her rhymes are off-centre, whimsical, and yes, genius, as are her distinctive and hilarious illustrations. Boy Soup, her first book, was selected as the TD Grade One Book Giveaway in 2013. It was distributed to 500,000 Grade 1 students across Canada. Her publisher, Rick Wilks, remembers that “Loris’s relentless creativity was driven by her joy as she introduced countless kids to a world of witty, funny rhythmical stories. She enriched lives and nurtured the seeds of creativity in others while doing what she loved to do most.”
Loris and her younger sister were the children of hard working immigrant parents. Lena predeceased Loris in 2017. There was not a lot of whimsy and rhyme in the Lesynski household, so Loris created it herself out of boundless curiosity, sheer will, and an extraordinary imagination. Loris built worlds she wanted to live in.
Loris leaves us with a legacy of brilliant books which delighted children and adult readers. For those of us who loved her, bittersweet memories of heart-hurting laughter will forever ring in our ears.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to Loris' family and friends.