Marriott wins Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal

Children’s author, editor and teacher Janice Marriott has won the 2018 Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal, presented annually for lifetime achievement and distinguished contribution to New Zealand children’s literature.

Marriott is the author of more than 20 books for young people and has twice been awarded the New Zealand children’s novel of the year. She has written children’s and YA novels, educational texts, short stories, radio plays and documentaries, scripts for television, as well as nonfiction books on gardening for both children and adults.

Storylines chair Libby Limbrick said ‘the range of [Marriott’s] writing, editing and mentoring skills across children’s fiction and nonfiction is truly exceptional’. ‘She is also widely known in New Zealand schools for Kiwi Kidsongs, the former Learning Media’s acclaimed teachers’ resource of hundreds of original children’s songs chosen and produced by her as audiobooks,’ said Limbrick.

Marriott will be presented with the award and a prize of $2000 (A$1876) at a ceremony in Auckland on 8 April.

Storylines promotes the development of children’s and young adult literature in New Zealand and has operated as New Zealand’s national section of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) since 2001.

For more information, see the Storylines website.

Category: Junior Local news