Illustrator Peggy Fortnum, who was the first person to create a visual image of Michael Bond's classic children's book character Paddington Bear, died March 28, 2016 the Guardian reported. She was 96. In 1958, Fortnum was commissioned to illustrate the first volume, A Bear Called Paddington, and worked on the next eight books in the beloved series. She later illustrated another three titles, the last in 1983. Bond said of Fortnum: "She thought very highly of Paddington, as I did of her. It was a happy combination."