Margaret Wild (born 1948) is an Australian

children's writer Children's literature or juvenile literature includes stories, books, magazines, and poems that are created for children. Modern children's literature is classified in two different ways: genre or the intended age of the reader. Children's ...

. She has written more than 40 books for children. Her work has been published around the world and has won several awards. She was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the

Children's Book Council of Australia The Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) is a not for profit organisation which aims to engage the community with literature for young Australians. The CBCA presents the annual Children's Book of the Year Awards to books of literary merit ...

in 2022.

Life

Wild was born in

Eshowe Eshowe is the oldest town of European settlement in Zululand, historically also known as Eziqwaqweni, Ekowe or kwaMondi. Eshowe's name is said to be inspired by the sound of wind blowing through the more than 4 km² of the indigenous Dlinza ...

, South Africa, an early European settlement now a market town. Her bank manager's family moved frequently and she attended state schools in

Johannesburg Johannesburg ( , , ; Zulu and xh, eGoli ), colloquially known as Jozi, Joburg, or "The City of Gold", is the largest city in South Africa, classified as a megacity, and is one of the 100 largest urban areas in the world. According to Demo ...

. She came to Australia in 1972, worked as a magazine feature writer, and finished her education at

Australian National University The Australian National University (ANU) is a public research university located in Canberra, the capital of Australia. Its main campus in Acton encompasses seven teaching and research colleges, in addition to several national academies and ...

in Canberra. In Sydney she raised a family, worked as a freelance writer, worked sixteen years as a book editor in children's publishing—1984 to 2000, finally at ABC Books,

Australian Broadcasting Corporation The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is the national broadcaster of Australia. It is principally funded by direct grants from the Australian Government and is administered by a government-appointed board. The ABC is a publicly-own ...

Writer

Wild's books explore a diverse range of themes but she is particularly noted for exploring issues of identity, trust, and death. ''Let the Celebrations Begin'' (1991) focused on the imminent release of Jewish prisoners from a

Nazi concentration camp From 1933 to 1945, Nazi Germany operated more than a thousand concentration camps, (officially) or (more commonly). The Nazi concentration camps are distinguished from other types of Nazi camps such as forced-labor camps, as well as concen ...

, while in ''The Very Best of Friends'' (1989) the death of a farmer prompts his widowed wife to find the love to care for their respective pets, a cat and dog, equally. ''Fox'' (2000), illustrated by

Ron Brooks Ron Brooks (born October 16, 1988) is a former American football cornerback. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He played college football at LSU. He has also played for the Philadelphia Eagles and San Di ...

using the colours of the Australian landscape, is a powerful story about trust and betrayal. Recently Wild has published two

verse novel A verse novel is a type of narrative poetry in which a novel-length narrative is told through the medium of poetry rather than prose. Either simple or complex stanzaic verse-forms may be used, but there will usually be a large cast, multiple voice ...

s, ''One Night'' and ''Jinx''. These books investigate the trials and anxieties faced by teenagers coping with school, relationships and growing up. In March 2020 Wild was awarded an award for Lifetime Achievement in Literature by the Australia Council. In December 2020 she was nominated as Australia's author candidate for the 2022

Hans Christian Andersen Award The Hans Christian Andersen Awards are two literary awards given by the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), recognising one living author and one living illustrator for their "lasting contribution to children's literature". Th ...

. She now lives in Sydney.

Works

Picture books

* ''Chalk Boy'', illustrated by Mandy Ord (2018) * ''The Sloth that came to Stay'', illustrated by Vivienne To (2017) * ''Bogtrotter'', illustrated by Judith Rossell (2015) * ''The Bush book Club'', illustrated by Ben Wood (2014) * ''The Treasure Box'', ill.

Freya Blackwood Freya Blackwood (born 1975) is an Australian illustrator and special effects artist. She worked on special effects for The Lord of the Rings film trilogy from 2001 to 2003 and won the Kate Greenaway Medal for British children's book illustration ...

(2013) * ''Tanglewood, ''ill. Vivienne Goodman (2012) * ''Vampyre'', ill. Andrew Yeo (2011) * ''Puffling'', ill. Julie Vivas (2009) * ''Harry & Hopper'', ill. Freya Blackwood (2009) * ''The Pocket dogs go on holiday'', ill. Stephen Michael King (2008) * ''Piglet and Papa'', ill. Stephen Michael King (2007) * ''Woolvs in the Sitee'', ill Anne Spudvilas (2006) * ''Chatterbox'', ill.

Deborah Niland Deborah Mary Niland (born 1950) is a New Zealand–born Australian artist, known as a writer and illustrator of children's books. Some of her most popular books include ''Annie's Chair'', ''When The Wind Changed'', ''Mulga Bill's Bicycle'', an ...

(2006) * ''The Bilbies of Bliss'', ill. Noela Young (2005) * ''The Little Crooked House'', co-written with illustrator Jonathan Bentley (2005) * ''Hop, Little Hare!'', ill. Peter Shaw (2005) * ''Piglet and Mama'', ill. Stephen Michael King (2005) * ''Farmer Fred's Cow'', ill. David Waller (2004) * ''Seven More Sleeps'', ill. Donna Rawlins (2004) * ''Kiss, Kiss!'', ill. Bridget Strevens-Marzo (2003) * ''Little Humpty'', ill.

Ann James Ann Catherine Stewart James (born 6 October 1952) is an Australian illustrator of more than 60 children's books, some of which she also wrote. She was born in Melbourne, Victoria. James has been illustrating books since the 1980s and has becom ...

(2003) * ''Baby Boomsticks'', ill. David Legge (2003) * ''Mr Moo'', ill. Jonathon Bentley (2002) * ''Jenny Angel'', ill. Anne Spudvilas (2002) * ''The House of Narcissus'', ill. Wayne Harris (2001) * ''The Pocket Dogs'', ill. Stephen Michael King (2001) * ''The Midnight Feast'', ill. Ann James (2001) * ''Midnight Babies'', ill. Ann James (2001) * ''Nighty Night!'', ill. Kerry Argent (2001) * ''Fox'', ill.

(2000) * ''Tom Goes to Kindergarten'', ill. David Legge (2000) * ''Miss Lily's Fabulous Pink Feather Boa'', ill. Kerry Argent (1999) * ''Old Pig'', co-written with illustrator

(1999) * ''Our Granny'', ill. Julie Vivas (1998) * ''Rosie and Tortoise'', ill.

(1998) * ''First Day'', ill. by Kim Gamble (1998) * ''Bim Bam Boom!'', ill. Wayne Harris (1998) * ''Big Cat Dreaming'', ill. Anne Spudvilas (1997) * ''The Midnight Gang'', ill. Ann James (1997) * ''Remember Me'', ill. Dee Huxley (1995) * ''Beast'', (1995) * ''Mr. Nick's Knitting'', ill. Dee Huxley (1994) * ''Going Home'', ill. Wayne Harris (1994) * ''Toby'', ill. Noela Young (1994) * ''The Slumber Party'', ill. David Cox (1993) * ''But Granny Did'', ill. Ian Forss (1993) * ''Space Travellers'', ill. Gregory Rogers (1993) * ''All the Better to See You With!'', ill. Pat Reynolds (1993) * ''Thank You, Santa'', ill. Kerry Argent (1992) * ''My Dearest Dinosaur'', ill. Donna Rawlins (1992) * ''Let the Celebrations Begin!'', ill. Julie Vivas (1991) * ''The Very Best of Friends'', ill. Julie Vivas (1990) * ''Kathy's Umbrella'', ill. Hannah Koch (1987) * ''There's a Sea in My Bedroom'', ill.

Jane Tanner Barbara Jane Tanner, known as Jane Tanner, (born 29 November 1946 in Melbourne) is an Australian children's book illustrator. Majoring in painting and printmaking at the National Gallery School, Melbourne, she worked as a traditional artist for ...

(1984) * ''Something Absolutely Enormous'', ill. Jack Hannah (1984)

Novels

* ''One Night'' (2006) * ''Jinx'' (2004) * ''Beast'' (1997) * ''Diary of Megan Moon'' (1988) * ''Grumpy Bunny'' (2003)

Awards

Personal

* Won –

Nan Chauncy Award The Nan Chauncy Award is an Australian children's literature award. It was initially established as a quinquennial award and is now presented biennially in the Children's Book Council Awards. The award was established to honour Nan Chauncy, who ...

(2008) * Won – Lifetime Achievement Award, Children's Book Council of Australia (2022)

For books

;''There's a Sea in My Bedroom'' * Shortlisted – CBCA Children's Book of the Year Award: Picture Book (1985) * Shortlisted – Kate Greenaway Award (UK) (1985) ;''The Very Best of Friends'' * Won – CBCA Children's Book of the Year Award: Picture Book (1990) ;''The Midnight Gang'' * Won – Books I Love Best Yearly: Early Readers Award (1998) ;''Miss Lily's Fabulous Pink Feather Boa'' * Shortlisted – Young Australian Best Book Award: Picture Book (1999) ;''Jenny Angel'' * Shortlisted – Family Award for Children's Books: Picture Book (1999) * Shortlisted – Australian Publishers Association: Design (1999) * Shortlisted – New South Wales State Literary Award: Young Reader (2000) * Won – CBCA Children's Book of the Year Award: Picture Book (2000) * Shortlisted – Young Australian Best Book Award: Picture Book (2001) ;''The Pocket Dogs'' * Shortlisted – CBCA Children's Book of the Year Award: Early Childhood (2001) * Shortlisted – Young Australian Best Book Award: Picture Book (2003) * Shortlisted BILBY Award#Early Readers Award#Books I Love Best Yearly: Early Readers Award (2003) ;''Fox'' * Won – CBCA Children's Book of the Year Award: Picture Book (2001) * Won

Queensland Premier's Literary Awards The Queensland Premier's Literary Awards were an Australian suite of literary awards inaugurated in 1999 and disestablished in 2012. It was one of the most generous suites of literary awards within Australia, with $225,000 in prize money across ...

: Children's Book Award (2001). Queensland Premier's Literary Awards. 26 June 2007. Archived 31 October 2007. Retrieved 2014-07-19. * Won –

Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis The (German Youth Literature Award) is an annual award established in 1956 by the Federal Ministry of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth to recognise outstanding works of children's and young adult literature. It is Germany's only ...

(2004) ;''Baby Boomsticks'' * Won – Books I Love Best Yearly: Early Readers Award (2006) ;''Woolvs in the Sitee'' * Won –

Aurealis Award for Best Children's Fiction The Aurealis Awards are presented annually by the Australia-based Chimaera Publications and WASFF to published works in order to "recognise the achievements of Australian science fiction, fantasy, horror writers". To qualify, a work must have ...

(2006) * Shortlisted – CBCA Children's Book of the Year Award: Picture Book (2007) * Shortlisted – ABPA Book Design Awards: Picture Book (2007) ;''Chatterbox'' * Shortlisted – CBCA Children's Book of the Year Award: Early Childhood (2007)