Australian illustrator Terry Denton, co-creator of the Treehouse series, dies at 76
Denton, longtime collaborator with author Andy Griffiths, died surrounded by family in Victoria on Monday.
What to know
- Terry Denton, illustrator of the bestselling Treehouse series with Andy Griffiths and creator of the Gasp! series, died aged 76 on 21 September 2026.
- The 13-Storey Treehouse and its sequels sold more than 10 million copies worldwide; the 78-Storey Treehouse was the fastest-selling book in Australian history when released in 2016.
- No cause of death was disclosed; Denton had experienced declining health in recent years and had withdrawn from public collaboration to spend time with family.
- Tributes have come from collaborator Andy Griffiths, fellow author Amie Kaufman, Melbourne bookshop Readings, and Denton's own children via his publisher.
“Working – and playing – with Terry over three decades has been an incredible honour and a pure delight. I've never laughed so hard as I did when working with him, whether in the writing room or on stage. He was a true clown and much beloved – both in real life and as a character in the Treehouse series. Jill and I will miss him greatly.”
Andy Griffiths, author, Treehouse series co-creator · Sydney Morning Herald ↗ · Sep 21
Terry Denton Illustrator and authorAndy Griffiths Author, Treehouse series co-creatorCurtis Brown / Pan Macmillan Denton's literary agency and publisherAmie Kaufman AuthorDenton's children (Max, Imogen, Eve) Family
How it unfolded 3 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts
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Fellow authors and bookshops mourn Denton publicly
Author Amie Kaufman and Melbourne bookshop Readings posted tributes calling Denton a legend of Australian children's literature.
“We have lost a legend.”
— Amie Kaufman -
Loved his Storymaze books as a kid. Was obsessed with his illustrations in all the "Just" books, and used to try to do my own marginalia in my schoolbooks. Terry Denton had a pretty big influence on my sense of humour as a kid, and I think even to this day. I had no idea he was so old, though. It seems weird that a man with such a beautifully…
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YES omg and the few-page saga where he has to crawl over various sharp objects, poor snail
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That's sad :( The Treehouse series is a big part of why my son loves books so much.
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Andy Griffiths pays tribute to his co-creator
Griffiths, Denton's collaborator of three decades on the Treehouse series, described their creative partnership and said working with Denton was an honour and a delight.
“We were quite different in many ways. It's that difference that makes a creative partnership work … it was a match made in heaven.”
— Andy Griffiths -
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Agency and publisher announce Denton's death
Curtis Brown and Pan Macmillan posted a statement on social media confirming Denton's death and carrying tributes from his children.
“Terry died surrounded by his family on Monday.”
— Curtis Brown / Pan Macmillan -
background
Terry Denton dies surrounded by family in Victoria — Denton, 76, died on Monday September 21 surrounded by his family; no cause of death has been given, though he had suffered poor health in recent years.
Also covered reported alongside — the timeline has no entry for these yet
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4 outlets Terry Denton, beloved Australian illustrator best known for Treehouse series, dies aged 76
first by The Guardian, 1d ago · also Sydney Morning Herald, Guardian Culture, Guardian
1 more headline
- Beloved children’s author and illustrator Terry Denton has died aged 76 Sydney Morning Herald · 1d ago
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first by SMH.com.au, 1d ago · also Australian Broadcasting Corporation, ABC Australia, Sydney Morning Herald
2 more headlines
- 'He's at peace now': Treehouse illustrator Terry Denton dies aged 76 - ABC News & Headlines Australian Broadcasting Corporation · 1d ago
- Breaking: Treehouse illustrator Terry Denton dies aged 76 ABC Australia · 1d ago