Shirley Hughes, the British children’s book creator known for works including the series featuring a young boy named Alfie, died at 94, the Guardian reports.

Hughes was born and raised in the English town of West Kirby, and educated at art schools in Liverpool and Oxford. She began her literary career as an illustrator, contributing art to children’s books by authors such as Noel Streatfeild and Dorothy Edwards.

She made her debut as an author in 1960 with Lucy & Tom’s Day, and introduced her character Alfie in 1981 with Alfie Gets in First. Dozens of other books would follow, including Stories by Firelight, Ella’s Big Chance, and Whistling in the Dark.

Hughes won the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal for children’s book illustration twice, in 1977 for Dogger, and in 2003 for Ella’s Big Chance.

Admirers of Hughes paid tribute to her on social media. Her daughter, children’s book illustrator Clara Vulliamy, wrote, “Shirley Hughes…showed us that love is kind, brave and loyal, and that the beauty in this world is in the big picture and in the detail. This isn’t goodbye, Mum will shine brightly forever.”

And author/illustrator James Mayhew tweeted, “No one observed & captured the touching details of childhood & domesticity like Shirley. Her passing marks the end of a Golden Age. But what a legacy!”

Michael Schaub is a Texas-based journalist and regular contributor to NPR.