Wolf Erlbruch, illustrator of The Story of the Little Mole, dies aged 74

German illustrator Wolf Erlbruch, best known for his illustrations in The Story of the Little Mole Who Knew it Was None of His Business written by Werner Holzwarth, has died aged 74.

His publisher said he passed away in Wuppertal on 11th December 2022.

The Story of the Little Mole was the starting point of Erlbruch’s career as a book illustrator in 1989. The UK edition was published by Pavilion Books in 1994, which became part of Farshore last year. 

It has sold over three million copies to date according to the publisher. The Guardian described it as "the book nobody would publish that went on to be a bestseller" after being turned down by other publishers for "being too rude".

Melissa Fairley, publishing director at Farshore, said: “The Story of the Little Mole is a modern classic that has delighted children and adults for years. Wolf Erlbruch’s witty illustrations manage that rare feat of balancing charm with cheekiness. Wolf’s eye for the ridiculous is second to none and though he is no longer with us, his funny and furious little mole will ensure his legacy lives on.”

Erlbruch received many prestigious awards for his work: in 2006 he won the Hans Christian Andersen Award; in 2014 he was honoured with the E O Plauen Prize; and in 2017, the Swedish Cultural Council awarded him the highest international award in the field of children’s and young adult literature, the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award.