Hudson Talbott, Children's Book Author and Illustrator, Dies at 76

Talbott's tale about time-traveling dinosaurs became an animated film, and he adapted the Broadway musical "Into the Woods" for young readers.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Hudson Talbott, an award-winning children's book author and illustrator, died on January 22 in Albany, New York at the age of 76. Talbott's book "We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story" about time-traveling dinosaurs in Manhattan was adapted into an animated film produced by Steven Spielberg, and he also adapted the Stephen Sondheim musical "Into the Woods" into a book for young readers. Talbott struggled with dyslexia as a child but found solace in drawing, which led to a prolific career illustrating and writing over 20 children's books on diverse topics.

Why it matters

Talbott's work brought beloved children's stories to life through his imaginative illustrations and adaptations, while also drawing from his own experiences with dyslexia to create semi-autobiographical books that resonated with young readers. His passing marks the end of a distinguished career that spanned decades and left an indelible mark on the world of children's literature.

The details

Talbott's first major success was his 1987 book "We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story," which reimagined prehistoric creatures as modern-day pets. The book was later adapted into an animated film, though Talbott was unhappy with some of the changes made to his original vision. He also collaborated with Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine to adapt their Broadway musical "Into the Woods" for a younger audience, a project Talbott described as a more positive experience. Throughout his career, Talbott tackled a wide range of subjects in his books, from Arthurian legend to the Holocaust.

  • Talbott's 1987 dinosaur calendar featuring contemporary dinosaur illustrations was the inspiration for "We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story."
  • "We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story" was published in 1987 and later adapted into an animated film released in 1993.
  • "Into the Woods" the musical opened on Broadway in 1987, and Talbott's adaptation for young readers was published the following year in 1988.
  • Talbott's final book, "The Next Shiny Object," is scheduled to be published later in 2026.

The players

Hudson Talbott

An award-winning children's book author and illustrator whose diverse body of work included tales about time-traveling dinosaurs, Arthurian legend, and the Holocaust.

Steven Spielberg

The producer of the animated film adaptation of Talbott's book "We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story."

Stephen Sondheim

The composer and lyricist of the Broadway musical "Into the Woods," which Talbott adapted for young readers.

James Lapine

The librettist of the Broadway musical "Into the Woods," who collaborated with Talbott on the young readers' adaptation.

Jay Lesenger

Talbott's partner.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Both Steve and I loved what he did, and the book remains my favorite gift to anyone who has a child.”

— James Lapine, Librettist of "Into the Woods"

“I was the slowest reader in my class. When everybody was turning to the next page, I was still on the first sentence. Nobody knew. But the books knew! And they were coming for me!”

— Hudson Talbott (The New York Times)

What’s next

Talbott's final book, "The Next Shiny Object," is scheduled to be published later this year. The book is a semi-autobiographical story about a boy with an active imagination and the challenges he faces, serving as a sequel to Talbott's previous work "A Walk in the Words."

The takeaway

Through his imaginative illustrations and adaptations of beloved stories, Hudson Talbott left an indelible mark on children's literature. His own struggles with dyslexia informed his work, creating books that resonated with young readers and celebrated the power of storytelling to transcend personal challenges.