Home / News / Celebrity News Reese Witherspoon, Viola Davis and 17 other moms remember Beverly Cleary The prolific children's author inspired generations of readers with characters like Henry Huggins and Ramona Quimby. By Jamie Orsini March 29, 2021 When beloved children’s author Beverly Cleary passed away at the age of 104 , readers from around the world took to social media to thank the prolific author for her work. Cleary sold over 91 million books in over 20 countries and 14 languages . Among her many accolades, she won the National Book Award , the Newbery Medal and the National Medal of the Arts. Generations of readers grew up with Cleary’s characters, like Henry Huggins and Ralph S. Mouse, but she’s perhaps best known for creating the feisty Ramona Quimby. Ramona was famous for her big feelings , impulsiveness, and humor. She was unapologetically herself: loud, brash, intelligent, and demanding. She didn’t ask others to accept her in spite of her personality; she demanded acceptance because of it. Through Ramona’s eyes, Cleary tackled emotional topics like unemployment, family arguments, jealousy, and the loss of pets. Ramona and Cleary let young readers know that they weren’t alone in experiencing these things. It’s no wonder, then, that parents are offering emotional tributes to Cleary and her characters, especially Ramona. Cleary and Ramona didn’t just shape their readers’ childhoods—they had a lasting impact on how many of us parent our own children. Let’s remember that Beverly Cleary wrote a book in the 70s in which Ramona’s mom goes to work full-time, making her… https://t.co/6r6JC9CbMp — Faith Salie (@Faith_Salie) 1616803005.0 Just realized why everyone is talking about Beverly Cleary. 💔 It meant a lot to read her books & see the Quimbys go… https://t.co/Lsk9fSjAY4 — Nicole Chung 정수정 (@nicolesjchung) 1616799737.0 As a mom to a Beezus and a Ramona, I loved sharing the books with both my daughters. Beverly Cleary’s ability to wr… https://t.co/yQIgxeuaKL — Lazy Leslie Knope (@LazyKnope) 1616795616.0 Ramona Quimby was nothing like me, and I loved that about her. I remember sneaking a flashlight from our kitchen so… https://t.co/nQlRHtVxkY — Melissa Evans (@mrs_melevans) 1616808025.0 RIP Beverly Cleary. Millions of girls saw themselves in Ramona Quimby. Thank you from all the “pests” out there. — Jill Biden (@FLOTUS) 1616797856.0 Rest well Beverly Cleary. You made my childhood fun.💛 https://t.co/aKa6eECAGZ — Viola Davis (@violadavis) 1616864559.0 I must have checked this book out at least 10 times from the library at Northwood Hills ES when I was a kid, pourin… https://t.co/8PjV3y7BwM — Rebecca Gray (@mrsgrayreads2) 1616883968.0 Her characters were bold and brave, unruly and unstoppable, and she changed our ideas of what girls could be. Thank… https://t.co/pHrIjv3PjU — Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) 1616804307.0 My heart is heavy. Beverly Cleary is one of the reasons I thought I could ever pick up a pen and write. My mom used… https://t.co/t1Hxei81Zr — Megan BirchMcMichael (@AnatomyofMother) 1616799840.0 Beverly Cleary has died at 104 years old. But she left Ramona, Henry Huggins, Beezus & Ralph the Mouse & so many m… https://t.co/foUEzTCTDN — Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) 1616798518.0 When my mom read me the Ramona books in the 80s I had no idea she had made her debut in the 50s. Time to introduce… https://t.co/p2C2Drzj9f — Rachel Fisher (@RachelAFisher) 1616863146.0 As a kid I felt so seen by Ramona wearing the crappy PJ sheep costume and as a mom, I feel so seen by that mom. Tha… https://t.co/GvZ7d9fnmG — Virginia Sole-Smith (@v_solesmith) 1616805594.0 Children’s books build so many memories. My mom read Ramona & Beezus books with me, as I do with my own girls (and… https://t.co/qVbcBvQxwu — Penny Schwinn (@SchwinnTeach) 1616802623.0 Beverly Cleary! My inspiration. I wanted to write books like yours. I so regret never having met you. You will not be forgotten. — Judy Blume (@judyblume) 1616897142.0 I am beyond grateful to Beverly Cleary for the hours of snuggles with my mom as she read the Ramona books to me and… https://t.co/xOUPnhosot — Liz Sobe (@Liz_Sobe_) 1616847928.0 My mom read Beverly Cleary to me, and I read her to my kids. When an author’s work means enough to share from gener… https://t.co/efH9B2PWqU — Tracy Vonder Brink (@trvonderbrink) 1616805754.0 Dear Mr. Henshaw was the first time I realized a kids’ book could have realism and sadness, like life. I read Ramon… https://t.co/Zelk6GbBWj — Anna Rodriguez (@solwithinanna) 1616859386.0 Holding Beverly Cleary’s family and loved ones in my heart. Ramona brought me so much joy as a child and inspired m… https://t.co/XEA6kAqMzX — Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) 1616796147.0