Colombia: Children’s Literature Author Jairo Aníbal Niño Dies

Last Monday, Jairo Anibal Niño, one of the most-loved children's literature authors in Colombia, passed away. The author left behind work that was characterized by the simplicity of his writing and by a style that captivated children and adults, as Luisa Margarita Henao and Felipe Contreras explained [es] in the blog Biblioteca Octavio Arizmendi Posada:

Jairo Aníbal Niño encontró su vocación a través de la mirada inocente y curiosa de los niños de todas las edades. Supo plasmar esas inquietudes, sentimientos y frustraciones que todos tuvimos a los 10 años y que con el pasar de la vida, de algún modo siguen.

Jairo Aníbal Niño found his calling through the innocent and curious eyes of children of all ages. He knew how to translate those concerns, feelings and frustrations that we all had at age 10 and that with the passing of life, somehow still remain.

Santa bárbara Prensa recorded [es] the news saying that:

Con una desagradable noticia despertó el país entero ante la terrible noticia de la muerte del escritor Jairo Aníbal Niño en la madrugada del pasado lunes en un hospital de Bogotá en el que había sido internado luego de perder una batalla contra el cáncer de próstata que venía padeciendo, según informaron los medios de prensa y familiares cercanos.

With unpleasant news the whole country woke up to the terrible news of the death of writer Jairo Aníbal Niño in the early hours of last Monday in a hospital in Bogotá where he had been hospitalized after losing a battle with prostate cancer he had struggled with, as reported by the media and close relatives.

Drawing of Jairo Anibal Niño by Johnny Julián González, used with his permission.

On Twitter [es], during the past week users who followed his writing posted their reactions to his death. A Mario Carvajal (@astromario) was surprised by the news while Catalina Franco (@catalinafrancor) thinks that now only a few good authors are still alive:

Siento que cada vez quedan menos de esos grandes nombres de las letras,aunque quedarán para siempre. Ahora ya tampoco está #JairoAnibal Niño

I feel like each time we have less big names in literature, although they will remain forever. Now we don't have #JairoAnibal Niño

Carito Suárez (@caritosuarezm) linked to the article “El sueño de un poeta,” (The Dream of a Poet) and Fabián Mendoza (@fabianmendoza1) shared a cartoon of the author's face:

Adios a Jairo Anibal niño y un aplauso por todo su legado! http://twitpic.com/2jpl87

Goodbye to Jairo Anibal Niño and an applause for his legacy! http://twitpic.com/2jpl87

Likewise, Mauricio Duque A. (@elpalabrista) linked to a podcast with the piece, “La boda de Estebana Hidalgo y Valentín Alcázares” (The Wedding of Estebana Hidalgo and Valentín Alcázares):

Jairo Aníbal tuvo su espacio en Lecturas de tabaquería. no será la única vez http://tinyurl.com/2bp3z6l cc @lect_tabaqueria

Jairo Aníbal had his space in [the blog] Lecturas de tabaquería. It will not be the only time [he is there] http://tinyurl.com/2bp3z6 cc @lect_tabaqueria

Through Twitter some also expressed nostalgia about the loss of Jairo Aníbal Niño, like these users:

Ana Vallejo (@anavallejoc):

Ay no, Jairo Anibal Niño me trae muchos recuerdos. Pero en la vida la murete es lo unico seguro. #RIP

Oh no, Jairo Anibal Niño brings back a lot of memories. But in life[,] death is the only certainty. #RIP

Juliana Londoño (@julilondono):

El mejor homenaje para #JairoAnibal es volver a ser niños… me aceptan la invitación?

The best tribute for #JairoAnibal is to become children again… do you accept my invitation?

Andrés Gómez (@andresgomezv):

Extrañare a Jairo Anibal un gran hombre, pero sobre todo un gran Niño!

I will miss Jairo Anibal a great man, but above all a great Niño! [in Spanish “Niño” means “child,” and “Niño” is also the author's last name]

Adicta Digital (@CataG):

Tengo un libro de Jairo Anibal Niño q me firmó en una feria así: “Para mi gatuna amiga Cata de su felino amigo”.. :'(

I have a book by Jairo Anibal Niño which he signed at a fair like this: “For my catlike friend Cata from her feline friend” .. :'(

Other tweets served as a reminder of the author's writing:

Carito Suárez (@caritosuarezm):

¿Qué dijo el pájaro cuando vio al avión? – El pájaro dijo: – ¡Qué alegría! Volvieron los dinosaurios Jairo Aníbal Niño http://bit.ly/9jNzSP

What did the bird say when he saw the plane? -The bird said: -Great! Dinosaurs are back Jairo Aníbal Niño http://bit.ly/9jNzSP

Samuel (@bogotal):

…Yo no tenía dinero para comprarte algo lujoso. Yo simplemente quise regalarte un bosque. #JairoAnibal

…I didn't have money to buy you something fancy. I simply wanted to give you a forest. #JairoAnibal

RosaCris (@rosacris):

“Cedo habitación con vista al mar de mi corazón” #JairoAnibal – Cuentas del collar de los cuentos

“I give away a room with a view into the sea of my heart” #JairoAnibal – Beads from the necklace of stories

Ángela Rodríguez (@tata_colombia):

” ¿Qué es el silencio? El silencio son seis cuerdas sin guitarra” #JairoAnibal

“What is silence? Silence is six strings without a guitar” #JairoAnibal

Finally, in Vive.In a forum was created where visitors can answer the question: “What is your favorite story by Jairo Aníbal Niño [es]?; several users have already recorded their response.