By Markbellis - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=40270380
GUELPH, Ont. — Beloved children’s author Robert Munsch says his storytelling legacy will continue long after he is gone, with dozens of unpublished manuscripts prepared for release as he faces advancing dementia, Parkinson’s disease and the possibility of a medically assisted death.
The 80-year-old writer has assembled roughly 50 stories in various stages of completion, many drafted before his health began to decline. His plan is for publishers to release about one book each year after his death, extending a career that has already produced nearly 100 titles and sold more than 90 million copies in North America.
Munsch has spoken candidly about the toll his conditions have taken, acknowledging worsening mobility, memory challenges and trouble with speech. Despite these difficulties, he has described a sense of clarity when it comes to the stories he has performed for children for decades, believing they remain intact even as other parts of his thinking become less reliable.
He has been approved for medical assistance in dying and has indicated he wants control over the end of his life, although he has not set a date and expects the decision to be far in the future. He is aware his ability to communicate could diminish over time, which may affect eligibility.
Munsch’s family supports his planning, and he has emphasized that preparing his unpublished work offers comfort. His wife, Ann, has said his approach reflects his lifelong habit of confronting difficult moments directly.
Over his career, Munsch became one of Canada’s most recognized children’s storytellers, publishing classics such as The Paper Bag Princess and Love You Forever, the latter selling more than 38 million copies worldwide. Many of his stories were shaped through school visits and improvised performances that became hallmarks of his animated style.
As his health evolves, Munsch has expressed reassurance in knowing his unpublished manuscripts will carry his voice forward, ensuring new generations of children will continue to encounter his work.
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