Here at Tor.com we are all very saddened to by the news of Brian Jacques’ recent passing.

The incomparable author of the Redwall series grew up in Liverpool, but with the same pluck as his protagonist Gonff the Mousethief, Jacques left home at 15 to be a merchant seaman and see the world.

Jacques wrote the original Redwall novel for the children of the Royal Wavertree School for the Blind, inviting them—and us—into his wonderful world. He went on to write 21 books in his beloved series, telling the stories of brave Matthias and little Mattimeo, the legendary Martin, Mariel and her trusty Gullwhacker, the stalwart badgers of Salamandastron, and many more.

Brian Jacques was 71.