Walker's Louise Power dies

Walker Books’ art department manager Louise Power has passed away aged 63.

Power suffered from an existing cardiac condition which was further complicated by a recent illness. She died peacefully on 14th April surrounded by her family.

A spokesperson for the publisher said: “Louise was often the very first contact that many artists had with Walker Books, and her fine aesthetic coupled with her keen eye discovered much new talent over the years, making her instrumental in many contemporary illustrators’ careers.  Louise’s role was integral to the company and unique to the British publishing industry. She took great care of all the artwork that our illustrators made for our books, cataloguing it meticulously as it entered and left the building. She prepared the work of many of our best known illustrators for exhibitions in the UK and for tours overseas  including that of Helen Oxenbury, Martin Handford, Chris Haughton and Anthony Browne.

"Louise had a keen interest in entering our illustrators into international competitions, and no one was more thrilled this year that Walker Books won the Bologna Ragazzi Book Award for Fiction for the very first time with Oliver Jeffers’ and Sam Winston’s A Child of Books.” 

Power had worked at Walker for more than 25 years. After working at both Mills & Boon and Camden Graphics, she began her career at Walker in 1991 as the PA to Walker’s founding art director Amelia Edwards.

Alongside her career in publishing, Louise also worked as a therapist. She gained a first class honours degree in counselling in 2008 and had regular clients. She also worked closely with her long-time friend, Linda Owen-Lloyd, who owns and runs the online Children’s Book Illustration Gallery.

Oxenbury said: "Louise worked with me for many years – she was an invaluable supporter and organizer of my work, and she became a dear friend. She understood me and my art, and she also truly knew how to work with artists. Louise was worth her weight in gold and I shall miss her terribly.”

Walker picture book publisher Deirdre McDermott said: “Louise was a warm and generous friend and colleague – she exemplified our values of quality and attention to detail. Louise kept us all together, she supported us kindly and completely, and her graceful integrity shone through in all that she did for Walker Books. She was a true keeper of the bear’s flame. So many of us at Walker were privileged to have been included in Louise’s wide circle of friends. She took special and kind interest in the newer, younger members of staff, and we understood that she valued everyone equally and had time and energy for each of us. She bore her own serious health problems privately, she never ever complained, and she really got as much enjoyment as she possibly could out of her life.”

She added: “We won’t ever forget the lovely, lively sparkle of her fine navy blue eyes, her distinctive silvery bob and the cheerfulness of her beautiful laugh and smile. Louise was so deeply loved by many, many people, much more than she ever realized herself, and her passing will leave a large empty space in all of our lives.”

A memorial will be taking place St Marylebone Crematorium on 5th May. Donations in her memory may be made to the British Heart Foundation.