Robert Munsch says he has written dozens more children's books that will be released after he dies by MAID
Bestselling Canadian children’s author Robert Munsch says readers can look forward to more of his stories after his death.
He has a plan for new books to come out, he told CBC ‘s Adrienne Arsenault in an interview about living with dementia that he called his “ last hurrah.”
Munsch, 80, has been diagnosed with dementia as well as Parkinson’s. And he has previously struggled with a stroke, depression, alcoholism and lost two children (who were stillborn). This past fall, he came under scrutiny for announcing he had applied for MAID (medical assistance in dying) shortly after it was legalized in 2016.
While he hasn’t chosen a date for his death, he’s aware that his health could fail to the point that he wouldn’t be eligible to ask for MAID because of a diminished ability to communicate.
Munsch said he is comfortable with the decision he’s made.
His wife of 53 years, Ann, told CBC she wasn’t surprised by his choice. “It’s like Bob to face life head-on.”
“And both of us feel that that’s a choice that is valid and legitimate, and he decided that’s what he wants to do when the time comes — and fortunately for both of us, maybe especially me, it’s a long way away,” she said.
Munsch said his conditions have taken a toll on him.
“I tell people I’m fine. I’m not fine,” he said. “I fall down, I forget words…. I can’t walk more than two blocks.”
But he also said he wants people to know he’ll “be OK.”
During their interview, Arsenault mentioned seeing a photo of a filing cabinet he had that contained stories in various stages.
Munsch confirmed it’s still around.
“It is about … 50 stories in that. Now, not all of them are gonna make it. But … when I’m dead, they’ll still be putting out Robert Munsch books,” he said.
Munsch has written 85 published books including “Love You Forever,” “The Paper Bag Princess,” and “Mud Puddle.”
“In my brain, the stories are all stacked. There… locked. Everything else is up for grabs. Oh, I can’t trust the rest of my thinking,” Munsch said during the interview.
“The stories are my friends.” He also agreed his wife and children are locked in, too.
He was asked if he sometimes dreams about being younger, a version of himself running or on stage.
“I dream I’m on stage,” he responded. “When things are bad, that’s the place I retreat to.”
“Surrounded by kids?” Arsenault asked. “Yeah,” he said.
“Your stories are gonna live forever, and your voice and telling them is gonna be around for a long, long, long time. Is that a good feeling or a strange feeling?” asked Arsenault.
“It’s a good feeling,” Munch said.
He wants for about one of his unpublished works to be edited and released each year after his death.
“Nobody lives forever, but… I will at least have a couple of… couple…(books released after his death). As many years as I’ve already had … that’d be nice.”
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