Charles Santore, an illustrator known for his richly detailed and whimsical interpretations of classic children's books has died, his daughter said Friday. Christina Santore said her father died Sunday after a brief illness in Philadelphia, where he was born, raised and worked. He was 84.

He spent over three decades reimagining classic children's tales like L. Frank Baum's "The Wizard of Oz," Beatrix Potter's "The Tale of Peter Rabbit," Grimm fairytales and Aesop's fables. "Charlie Santore was an artistic treasure in the industry. He created worlds that were familiar but elevated them beyond the scope of our imagination," said Running Press Kids creative director Frances Soo Ping Chow, who worked with Santore for over a decade.