The Current Robert Munsch: The stories he'll leave behind
Dec 10, 2025
In a heartfelt conversation, CBC chief correspondent Adrienne Arsenault interviews beloved children's author Robert Munsch, who reflects on his health struggles, including dementia and Parkinson's, and his decision for medical assistance in dying. Munsch shares that despite his challenges, he still has 50 unpublished stories waiting to inspire future generations. They discuss how children have shaped his narratives and the profound role humor and memory play in his life. The interview, labeled his 'last hurrah,' celebrates his legacy and impact on storytelling.
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Theatrical Storytelling In A Homey Office
- Robert Munsch often performs his stories theatrically, using full-body expression to make kids howl with laughter.
- Adrienne Arsenault describes entering his basement office filled with children's drawings and a fart monster presiding over the space.
Humour As An Anchor Against Decline
- Munsch recognizes dementia and Parkinson's as an 'untamable monster' he cannot write his way out of.
- He uses humour and care for others as anchors while confronting loss of words and mobility.
Stories Locked In Memory
- Munsch says his stories are 'stacked' and 'locked' in his brain even as other thinking becomes unreliable.
- He feels a strong hold on those stories and expects to lose other cognitive abilities first.
