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Jennifer Beck

Jennifer Beck was born in Auckland and attended Waipu District High School before going on to Auckland Teachers’ College and graduating with an MA (Hons) DipClinPsych from the University of Auckland.

Being a teacher, psychologist and parent has taken up much of Jennifer’s adult life, but writing has always been a cherished occupation. Encouraged by her parents, she began writing at nine years of age and in her twenties had articles published in newspapers. The 1980s saw her first books published and she hasn’t stopped since. In 2003 Jennifer became a full-time writer, producing ever more children’s books, magazine articles and short stories.

Jennifer’s advice to young authors and illustrators is: ‘Just get started, do it and enjoy it. Don’t feel that only work which is published is worthwhile. Value everything you create, as well as the process of doing so.’

jennifer-beck

Selected bibliography:

  • The Choosing Day, illustrated by Robyn Belton (Century Hutchinson 1988)
  • David’s Dad, illustrated by Robyn Belton (Random Century 1990)
  • The Bantam and the Soldier, illustrated by Robyn Belton (Scholastic 1996)
  • The Christmas Caravan, illustrated by Robyn Belton (Scholastic 2002)
  • John Britten: The Boy Who Did Do Better (Scholastic 2004)
  • Nobody’s Dog, illustrated by Lindy Fisher (Scholastic 2005)
  • A Present from the Past, illustrated by Lindy Fisher (Scholastic 2006)
  • Stefania’s Dancing Slippers, illustrated by Lindy Fisher (Scholastic 2007)
  • Rufus the Rooster (Polygraphia 2010)
  • Whetu: The Little Blue Duck, illustrated by Renee Haggo (David Ling 2011)
  • Gypsy Day on the Farm, illustrated by Lisa Allen (New Holland 2011)
  • Sam Goes Wild, illustrated by Jenna Packer (New Holland 2011)
  • Remember that November, illustrated by Lindy Fisher (Huia 2012)

Awards:

  • New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards 1997 Book of the Year for The Bantam and the Soldier
  • New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards 1997 Picture Book Winner for The Bantam and the Soldier
  • New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards 2003 Picture Book Shortlist for The Christmas Caravan
  • Storylines Notable Book Awards 2003 Picture Books List for The Christmas Caravan
  • Storylines Notable Book Awards 2005 Non-fiction List for John Britten
  • New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards 2006 Picture Book Shortlist for Nobody’s Dog
  • Storylines Notable Book Awards 2006 Picture Books List for Nobody’s Dog
  • Storylines Notable Book Awards 2007 Picture Books List for A Present from the Past
  • Storylines Notable Book Awards 2012 Picture Books List for Whetu: The Little Blue Duck

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Storylines Trust Te Whare Waituhi Tamariki and Friends of Storylines Te Pou o Te Whare Waituhi Tamariki together form New Zealand’s only national organisation working year-round to promote New Zealand children’s and young adult literature through activities that include a major national Story Tour to schools, early childhood centres and communities, and awards for writers, illustrators and those who work in the area of New Zealand children’s literature

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