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Robert Munsch speaks about living with dementia and plans to release more children's books after his death
Bestselling Canadian children’s author Robert Munsch says readers can look forward to more of his stories after his death.
He has a plan for new books to come out, he told CBC ‘s Adrienne Arsenault in an interview about living with dementia — explaining what it feels like inside his brain.
Munsch, 80, has been diagnosed with dementia as well as Parkinson’s. And he has previously struggled with a stroke, depression, alcoholism and lost two children (who were stillborn). This past fall, he came under scrutiny, including criticism from pro-life groups, for announcing he had applied for MAID (medical assistance in dying) shortly after it was legalized in 2016.
While he hasn’t chosen a date for his death, he’s aware that his health could fail to the point that he wouldn’t be eligible for ask for MAID because of a diminished ability to communicate. Munsch is comfortable with the decision he’s made — retaining control and deciding when he’s ready to go.
His wife of 53 years, Ann, told CBC she wasn’t surprised by his choice. “It’s like Bob to face life head-on.”
Munsch has written 85 published books including “Love You Forever,” “The Paper Bag Princess,” and “Mud Puddle.” In the interview with Arsenault, he spoke about the stories that haven’t been published yet.
“In my brain, the stories are all stacked. There… locked. Everything else is up for grabs. Oh, I can’t trust the rest of my thinking,” Munsch said during the interview.
But the stories are your friends?, he was asked.
“The stories are my friends.” He also agreed his wife and children fall are locked in as his friends too.
He was asked if he sometimes dreams about being younger, a version of himself that is running on stage.
“I dream I’m on stage, he responded. “The audience … Well, when things are bad, that’s the place I retreat to.”
Surrounded by kids? “Yeah.”
Arsenault mentioned seeing a photo of a filing cabinet he had that contained stories in various stages.
Munsch confirmed it’s still around.
“It is about… 50 stories in that. Now, not all of them are gonna make it. But… when I’m dead, they’ll still be putting out Robert Munsch books.”
Has he planned for that to happen?, he was asked. “yeah.”
“Well, your stories are gonna live forever, and your voice and telling them is gonna be around for a long, long, long time. Is that a good feeling or a strange feeling?,” asked Arsenault.
“It’s a good feeling,” Munch said. “People always say, you know, they live forever. Well… nobody lives forever, but… I will at least have a couple of… couple…(after his death). As many years as I’ve already had … that’d be nice.”
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