Beloved children’s author and illustrator Terry Denton dies aged 76

Beloved Australian children’s author and illustrator Terry Denton has died aged 76.

Denton, best known for his hugely popular collaborations with Andy Griffiths, including the Treehouse series, died on Monday surrounded by his family.

“Dad gave joy to millions of children around the world and after all those stories and all those lives he touched, he always came home to us,” his family and agent said in a joint social media post.

“We are so grateful that his stories will continue to live on, bringing wonder, laughter and comfort to generations yet to come - and most especially to his beloved grandchildren, who will grow up knowing him through the magic he left behind.”

Pan Macmillan Australia remembered Denton as “an icon of children’s books”, praising his “extraordinary imagination and joyful humour” and saying his books would keep children laughing for years to come.

Griffiths, who worked with Denton for almost three decades, said it had been “an incredible honour and a pure delight”.

“I’ve never laughed so hard as I did when working with him, whether in the writing room or on stage. He was a true clown and much beloved - both in real life and as a character in the Treehouse series. Jill and I will miss him greatly,” Griffiths said.

Denton wrote and illustrated over 30 of his own books, including the Gasp! series, which was adapted for television in 2011.

He also illustrated books for authors including Mem Fox, Paul Jennings and Gillian Rubinstein.

His long-running partnership with Griffiths began in 1997 with Just Tricking!, the first of nine books in the Just! series.

The pair later created the phenomenally successful Treehouse series, comprising 13 books.

The Treehouse series was sold into 35 translation territories and recorded over 13 million sales in the English language alone.

Denton is survived by his wife Kristen, children Max, Imogen and Eve, and grandchildren Georgia, Lucy, Charlie, Alfie and Felix.