Susan Varley

Susan Varley is a British illustrator and author of children's picture books. Her best known book is Badger's Parting Gifts, a story which aims to be a gentle introduction to old age and bereavement for young children. She both wrote and illustrated the book, and it was awarded the Mother Goose Award in 1985. Some booksellers however reportedly refused to take it at the time, because of the subject matter.

Badger's Parting Gifts is still in print, and in 2019 a 35th anniversary edition was released in partnership with the charity Child Bereavement UK. It continues to be cited by grief counsellors, teachers and journalists as an effective book to facilitate discussions about death and grief with children.

Varley has also illustrated other authors' books, including The Monster Bed by Jeanne Willis, Two Small Pandas and Lovely Old Lion by Julia Jarman, The Spring Rabbit by Joyce Dunbar, and Captain Small Pig by Martin Waddell. All are published by Andersen.

Personal life Varley is married, with one daughter. She lives in England.

Selected works Badger's Parting Gifts, Andersen Press, London 1984