Nosy Crow's 'visionary' North America publisher Katie Cunningham dies aged 43
Katie Cunningham, the "visionary" publisher of Nosy Crow in North America, died on 4th July at her home in Hudson, Massachusetts after a short illness.
Cunningham joined Nosy Crow as publisher in March 2025, following a tenure at Candlewick Press, where she began her career in 2003 as an intern and rose to become SVP, editorial and associate publisher.
Cunningham became known for championing works that reflect childrens’ experiences and interests, including Julian Is a Mermaid (Candlewick Press/Walker Books), which earned author-illustrator Jessica Love the 2019 Klaus Flugge Prize, and the US edition of Maps by Aleksandra Mizielinska and Daniel Mizielinski (Candlewick Press/Big Picture Press).
Cunningham once summed up her editorial philosophy by saying: "Every child deserves a favourite book."
Kate Wilson, group CEO of Nosy Crow, said of Cunningham: "Every one of us who had anything to do with Katie knows how magnificent she was. Her integrity, careful thought and shining vitality leave a profound mark. I count it a privilege and inspiration to have shared as much time as I did with her."
Nosy Crow president John Mendelson added: "It’s difficult to convey not only Katie’s extraordinary talent as an editor and publisher, but also the light she brought into every room and every interaction. Her energy, vision and profound empathy were unique.
"She was kind and funny. She was a good friend. Her passing is an enormous loss, not only to us at Nosy Crow, but to the entire industry and to future readers. I am heartbroken for us all."
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Belinda Rasmussen, president and publisher of Walker Books Group, parent company of Candlewick Press, said: "Katie was an extraordinary publisher – the books she leaves behind are a testament to her talent and vision.
"But it was her wisdom, warmth and empathy that made her presence a gift to us all – and her absence all the more deeply felt. The world is a lesser place without her."
In the years following her diagnosis, Cunningham worked to bring attention to ovarian cancer research and fundraising.
"I hope you have never had a cancer diagnosis touch your life, but if you have or if you will, I want you to have every piece of weaponry humanity can dream up," she wrote two months ago. "I want you to have every tool to fight like hell to get to the other side. I don’t know if I’m on the other side, but I know where I am is absolutely beautiful."
Katie is survived by her wife Erin and their son Jack, as well as her parents Joyce and Warren Cunningham, her sister Ellen and partner Angelo Morales, her nieces Moriana and Eva, her nephew AJ, and her lifelong best friend Melissa Pimentel.
In lieu of flowers, her family has suggested donations in her memory to The Pan Mass Challenge: Katie’s Ride, Team Ovarian Cancer, MGH Cancer Center, or The Center for Coastline Studies.
Memories of Cunningham, which are being compiled to share with her family, friends and colleagues, may be emailed to phoebe@nosycrow.com.
