Anne Fine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Anne Fine
OBE FRSL
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Fine in 2024
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| Born | 7 December 1947 Leicester, Leicestershire, England |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Alma mater | University of Warwick |
| Period | 1978–present |
| Genre | Children's literature (all ages); black comedy |
| Notable works | |
| Notable awards | Carnegie Medal 1989, 1992 Guardian Prize 1990 |
| Spouse | Kit Fine (divorced) |
| Partner | Dick Warren |
| Children | Cordelia Fine Ione Fine |
Anne Fine OBE FRSL (born 7 December 1947) is a famous English writer. She is best known for her amazing children's books. However, she also writes books for adults.
Anne Fine has written over seventy books for young readers. Many of her books have won big awards. She won the important Carnegie Medal twice! She also won the Guardian Prize, a Smarties Prize, and two Whitbread Awards. She was even named the Children's Author of the Year two times.
In 1998, Anne Fine was a finalist for the Hans Christian Andersen Award. This is one of the highest honors for a children's writer. From 2001 to 2003, she was the second ever Children's Laureate in the UK. This special role celebrates children's literature.
Contents
Anne Fine's Early Life
Anne Fine was born in Leicester, England. She grew up there and in nearby areas. She went to Northampton High School. Later, she studied politics at the University of Warwick.
Anne Fine has two daughters, Cordelia Fine and Ione Fine. Her older sister, Elizabeth Arnold, also writes books for children. Anne Fine now lives in Barnard Castle, England.
She wrote her first book when she was 24 years old. She says she started writing because she couldn't get to the library in a snowstorm!
Her Writing Career
Anne Fine began her writing journey in 1971. She said that once she started writing, she hardly ever stopped. Her very first book was turned down by two publishers. But five years later, she entered it in a competition and it was finally published in 1978.
Many of her books for older children are very popular. One of her most famous is Madame Doubtfire (1987). This funny story was made into the movie Mrs. Doubtfire, starring Robin Williams. Another book, Goggle-Eyes (1989), was made into a TV show by the BBC.
She also writes great books for middle readers. These include Bill's New Frock (1989) and How to Write Really Badly (1996).
Anne Fine's books have been translated into 45 different languages. This means children all over the world can enjoy her stories!
In 2014, Anne Fine supported a campaign called "Let Books Be Books." This campaign wanted publishers to stop labeling books as "for boys" or "for girls." She believes that all children should be able to read any book they like, no matter their gender.
Awards and Special Honors
Anne Fine has received many awards for her writing.
The Hans Christian Andersen Award is a huge international award for children's authors. In 1998, Anne Fine was one of the top five writers chosen for this award.
She won the Carnegie Medal in 1989 for her book Goggle-Eyes. This award is given to the best children's book of the year. Goggle-Eyes also won the Guardian Prize. Her book Bill's New Frock won the Smarties Prize for ages 6-8.
In 1992, she won the Carnegie Medal again for Flour Babies. This book was also named the Whitbread Children's Book of the Year. Her book The Tulip Touch (1996) also won a Whitbread Award.
Anne Fine is one of only seven authors to win the Carnegie Medal twice. She is also the only author to have three books highly praised by the Carnegie judges.
As the second Children's Laureate (from 2001 to 2003), she helped promote reading for children. In 2003, she received an OBE from the Queen. This honor recognized her great contributions to literature.
- Awards
- 1989 Carnegie Medal – Goggle-Eyes
- 1990 Guardian Children's Fiction Prize – Goggle-Eyes
- 1990 Nestlé Smarties Book Prize, ages 6–8 – Bill's New Frock
- 1990 Children's Author of the Year Award, Publishing News
- 1991 Children's Author of the Year, British Book Awards
- 1992 Carnegie Medal – Flour Babies
- 1993 Whitbread Award, Children's Book – Flour Babies
- 1993 Children's Author of the Year Award, Publishing News
- 1994 Children's Author of the Year, British Book Awards
- 1996 Whitbread Award, Children's Book – The Tulip Touch
- 1998 Prix Sorcières, best children's book translated into French – Journal d'un chat assassin (Diary of a Killer Cat)
- Other Recognitions
- 1989 Carnegie, highly commended – Bill's New Frock
- 1996 Carnegie, highly commended – Tulip Touch
- 2002 Carnegie, highly commended – Up on Cloud Nine
- 2014 Carnegie shortlist – Blood Family
Selected Books by Anne Fine
Picture Books
- Poor Monty (1991)
- Ruggles (2001)
- Big Red Balloon (2012)
- Hole in the Road (2014)
- Under the Bed (2015)
Books for Younger Children
- Scaredy-Cat (1985)
- Stranger Danger? (1989)
- Only a Show (1990)
- The Worst Child I Ever Had (1991)
- The Haunting of Pip Parker (1992)
- The Diary of a Killer Cat (1994) – This book won an award in France!
- Care of Henry (1996)
- Jennifer's Diary (1996)
- Roll Over Roly (1999)
- The Jamie and Angus Stories (2002)
- How to Cross the Road and Not Turn into a Pizza (2002)
- The Return of the Killer Cat (2003)
- Nag Club (2004)
- It Moved! (2006)
- Jamie and Angus Together (2007)
- The Killer Cat Strikes Back (2007)
- The Killer Cat's Birthday Bash (2008)
- Jamie and Angus Forever (2009)
- Under a Silver Moon (2012)
- Out for the Count (2016)
Books for Middle Children
- Anneli the Art Hater (1986)
- A Pack of Liars (1988)
- Crummy Mummy and Me (1988)
- A Sudden Puff of Glittering Smoke (1989)
- A Sudden Swirl of Icy Wind (1990)
- A Sudden Glow of Gold (1991)
- These three "Sudden" books were later put together as one book called Genie, Genie, Genie (2004).
- The Country Pancake (1989) – also known as Saving Miss Mirabelle
- Bill's New Frock (1989) – This book won the Smarties Prize!
- The Chicken Gave It To Me (1992)
- The Angel of Nitshill Road (1993)
- How To Write Really Badly (1996)
- Loudmouth Louis (1998)
- Charm School (1999)
- Bad Dreams (2000)
- The More the Merrier (2003) – In the US, this book is called The True Story of Christmas.
- Frozen Billy (2004)
- Ivan the Terrible (2007)
- Eating Things on Sticks (2010)
- Trouble in Toadpool (2012)
- On Planet Fruitcake (2013)
Books for Older Children
- The Summer-House Loon (1978)
- The Other Darker Ned (1979)
- The Stone Menagerie (1980)
- The Granny Project (1983)
- Madame Doubtfire (1987) – This book became the movie Mrs. Doubtfire!
- Goggle-Eyes (1989) – This book won the Carnegie Medal and the Guardian Prize!
- The Book of the Banshee (1991)
- Flour Babies (1992) – This book won the Carnegie Medal and the Whitbread Award!
- Step by Wicked Step (1995)
- The Tulip Touch (1996) – This book won the Whitbread Award!
- Very Different (2001) – A collection of short stories.
- Up on Cloud Nine (2002)
- On the Summerhouse Steps (2006)
- The Road of Bones (2006)
- Fly in the Ointment (2008)
- The Devil Walks (2011)
- Blood Family (2013)
- Blue Moon Day (2014) – Another short story collection.
- Shades of Scarlet (2021)
Books for Adults
- The Killjoy (1986)
- In Cold Domain (1994)
- Taking the Devil's Advice (1990)
- Telling Liddy (1998)
- All Bones and Lies (2001)
- Raking the Ashes (2005)
- Our Precious Lulu (2009)
Images for kids
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Anne Fine in 2024
