Robert Munsch admits to depression, cocaine, and alcohol addiction
 

http://www.news1130.com/news/nationa...ohol-addiction



TORONTO - For more than 20 years, Robert Munsch has fascinated young readers with his unique stories that have made his books staples of any child's library.

But it is his latest story, one of admission to cocaine and alcohol addictions, that has become the most shocking and captivating one, a story not intended for his young "Munschkin" fans.

In a message titled "Note to Parents" posted on his website, the bestselling author admits he's been diagnosed as obsessive-compulsive and manic-depressive.

"Those challenges have led me to make some big mistakes," Munch says, without providing further details.

But in an interview with Global Television aired Saturday, Munsch admitted he is a recovering cocaine addict and alcoholic, adding he has been clean for about four months.

In his note to parents, Munsch, 64, wrote that his mental health and addiction problems are not a secret to his friends and family.

"They have been a big support to me over the years, and I would not have been able to do this without their love and understanding."

He goes on to say that he hopes that others will also understand and that "everyone will talk to their kids honestly, listen to them, and help them do their best with their own challenges."

In August 2008, Munsch suffered a stroke that briefly affected his ability to speak in normal sentences, a big challenge for a man who was used to do about 50 storytelling gigs a year.

In an interview with The Canadian Press four months after the stroke, Munsch said he was unable to create new stories.

"I try to do poetry and make up stories and it doesn't work, and (the doctors) told me that I should probably wait for a year for that to come back,'' he said at the time.

Munsch also said that he planned to edit the whopping 51 book drafts he had on the go before his stroke.

Born in Pittsburgh, Penn., Munsch studied to be a Jesuit priest before he decided to work in preschools, where he got his start as a storyteller.

He moved to Canada in 1975 and four years later wrote his first book titled "Mud Puddle''. He's since written more than 50 books, including some best-known titles like "Love You Forever'' and "The Paper Bag Princess.''

His latest books are "Down the Drain" and "Roar" published in 2009.

He has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide.

Munsch was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 1999 and was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame last September.


i grew up reading books from this guy way back in the day, sucks the way he is now but man he mustof partied hard

Creative people usually have those types of demons to deal with. Hes done far too much good for kids to have this affect the way I view him.

I respect him being forthcoming.

Wow, I hope he fully over comes everything. He basically got me started on reading in elementary school. I'll still pick up a book of his if I see one at my little cousins house or something.
Posted via RS Mobile

Doesn't affect my view on him at all. I grew up on his books, Love You Forever being one of my favourite books of all time. Amazing writer, amazing artist.

Everyone has their shit to deal with, and fame and fortune can always aggravate problems as we see time and time again.

Hope he recovers :( He shaped many lives when it came to the love for literature. I remember my mom use to gift me with his books as an award for doing some good. Purple, Green and Yellow + Mortimer were my personal faves.

bfd? his books and his addictions are 2 separate things (even though he probably thought of some great stories while high; lol)

don't think i've read or had read to me any of his books tho

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_You_Forever
I was like 5 or 6 when i first read this book and i thought it was pretty deep

Wow, I was just reading David's Father to my friends kid last week.

I have to admit I'm not too shocked. Having worked with a lot entertainers and folks in creative fields, I see some pretty fucked up things, most do a decent job of keeping it hidden tho. The most insecure and depressed people I know are the rich, beautiful and famous.

This was on 16x9 and he is also bipolar.

I used to get Jurassic Park dinosaur toys.