Ashley Bryan, a prolific children’s book illustrator and storyteller who often retold African folktales he had heard as a child, has died.

Jerry Pinkney, a prize-winning children’s book illustrator known for his richly textured images of Black life, fables and fairy tales in works ranging from “The Lion and the Mouse” to “The Sunday Outing,” has died at 81.

“Ceasing sales of these books is only part of our commitment and our broader plan to ensure Dr. Seuss Enterprises’ catalog represents and supports all communities and families," it said. Within hours of Tuesday's announcement, Dr. Seuss books filled more than half of the top 20 slots on Amazon.com's bestseller list. Ad“Research in recent years has revealed strong racial undertones in many books written/illustrated by Dr. Seuss,” the school district said in a statement. In 2018, a Dr. Seuss museum in his hometown of Springfield removed a mural that included an Asian stereotype. Dr. Seuss Enterprises, however, said it is “committed to listening and learning and will continue to review our entire portfolio."

North Dakota and South Dakota have the nation's worst rate of deaths per capita over the last 30 days. The rush of virus patients has dialed up the emotional and physical stress on hospital staff, even as they try to stay free from infections. “The devastation that I’m seeing from people is just so disheartening,” said Mike Henriksen, a South Dakota sports broadcaster who knew five people who died. North Dakota Gov. In South Dakota, Noem has cast doubt on whether wearing masks in public is effective, saying that she'll leave it up to the people to decide.

LOS ANGELES A new documentary about the life and work of Little House on the Prairie author Laura Ingalls Wilder puts her novels scattered racist references in historical context, the films producers said. Wilders work reflects the perspective of her family and attitudes in the late 1800s Midwest, the setting for the coming-of-age novels based on her childhood, said Mary McDonagh Murphy, director and producer of PBS American Masters biography. I think we can count on her as a reliable narrator for much of that, she said. Michael Kantor, the executive producer of Laura Ingalls Wilder, and Murphy said the documentary's development relied on experts, including the head of Native American initiatives at the Minnesota Historical Society. Weve been working very carefully with the academic community to make sure we tell a fair and truthful history, which we think will be no less interesting, Kantor said.