Sad news: Momoko Sakura, that wonderful author and illustrator best known for creating “Chibi Maruko-chan,” has died of breast cancer at the age of 53. She was only 18 days younger than I. The first Japanese-language book I read, “Sakana no Okashira” [魚の尾頭], was her work. She was a delightful essayist, and I highly recommend her books for those learning Japanese. She will be missed. - William

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momoko_Sakura