Hughes, who also wrote the children’s picture book Dogger, died peacefully at her home on 25 February after a short illness, her family said.
Dogger, which was first published in 1977 and is about a little boy who loses his stuffed dog toy, won Hughes the Kate Greenaway Medal – now one of the UK’s longest running children’s book awards.
Hughes is also known for her series of over 30 children’s books about a boy called Alfie and his sister Annie Rose, with publication of the books spanning over more than two decades.
Paying tribute to Shirley Hughes, fellow children’s author Michael Rosen tweeted, ‘Long live wonderful, lovely Shirley. You’ve delighted and moved us for years and years and years and will go on doing so.’
Author Philip Pullman called Hughes ‘The dearest and the best’.
Her family said in a statement, 'Shirley's books about everyday family life are adored by generations of families and she is held in the highest esteem by her peers.'
They added on Twitter, 'It is with deepest sorrow that we announce that Shirley died peacefully in her sleep at home on Friday 25th February. Ed, Tom and Clara - Shirley's children.’