Robert Munsch, the Canadian author, reads one of his books to students at Toronto’s City Hall on Friday, January 23, 2009. The Canadian Press
Robert Munsch, the famed Canadian author behind classics like Love You Forever, The Paper Bag Princess, and Mortimer, has been approved for medical assistance in dying (MAID). The 80-year-old author applied for MAID shortly after being diagnosed with dementia, according to a recent profile.
“Hello, Doc — come kill me!” Munsch joked. “How much time do I have? Fifteen seconds!” He explained that a date has not yet been set, as Canadian law requires patients to actively consent to MAID at the time of death. Recent law changes allow a waiver of final consent for patients whose natural death is reasonably foreseeable, helping those at risk of losing decision-making capacity.
Munsch said witnessing his brother die slowly from Lou Gehrig’s disease shaped his choice. “They kept him alive through all these interventions,” he said. “I thought: Let him die.”
Life and Career
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Munsch moved to Canada in 1975. Over his career, he wrote more than 70 children’s books, selling millions of copies across North America. His works have been translated into 20 languages.
Munsch often drew inspiration from children he met on school visits. He described himself as a storyteller: “I write books for kids, I talk to kids, and I listen to kids.” Stories such as Stephanie’s Ponytail and Think Big! came directly from these encounters.
His personal life included challenges with addiction, mental health, and the grief of losing two stillborn children before adopting three. This deeply personal experience inspired Love You Forever, published in 1986. The book topped Canadian bestseller lists for three consecutive years and became an unexpected hit in the U.S.
Health Challenges
In 2008, Munsch suffered a stroke that temporarily erased his memory of his stories. Through persistence and speech therapy, he gradually returned to storytelling, though at a slower pace. By 2023, he experienced a brief creative resurgence, writing Bounce!, which was published in 2024. Another book, The Perfect Paper Airplane, revised from earlier work, is set for release this fall.
Despite cognitive decline, Munsch continues to engage with his craft. “I can feel it going further and further away,” he said of his thinking and creative processes.
Legacy and Recognition
Munsch’s impact on Canadian culture is significant. He has received the Order of Canada, a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame, and has two public schools in Ontario named after him. His stories have brought joy to generations of children and remain an enduring part of Canada’s literary landscape.
Even as he faces the final chapter of his life, Munsch’s storytelling continues to resonate, reminding Canadians of his gift for connecting with children through words and imagination.
