Betty Gilderdale facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Betty Gilderdale
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Gilderdale in 2014
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| Born | Betty Albertina Harrington 1923 London, England |
| Died | 9 July 2021 (aged 97) |
| Alma mater | University of London |
| Genre | Children's books |
| Notable awards | Margaret Mahy Medal and Lecture Award |
| Spouse |
Alan Gilderdale
(m. 1949; died 2013) |
| Children | Four |
Betty Albertina Gilderdale (born Harrington) (1923 – 9 July 2021) was a much-loved children's author from New Zealand. She wrote many books, including the popular Little Yellow Digger series. Betty was also a big supporter of children's literature in New Zealand.
Contents
About Betty Gilderdale
Betty Gilderdale was born in 1923 in London, England. Later, in 1967, she moved to New Zealand. In 1949, she earned a degree in English from the University of London. That same year, she married Alan Gilderdale. They had four children together.
Betty also worked as a teacher for many years. She taught at different colleges and at the University of Auckland. She lived on the North Shore in Auckland. Betty Gilderdale passed away on July 9, 2021, when she was 97 years old. Her husband, Alan, had passed away earlier in 2013.
Her Amazing Books
Betty Gilderdale is famous for creating the Little Yellow Digger book series. Her husband, Alan Gilderdale, drew the pictures for these books.
The Little Yellow Digger Series
Here are some of the books in this popular series:
- The Little Yellow Digger (published in 2009)
- The Little Yellow Digger at the Zoo (published in 1999)
- The Little Yellow Digger Saves the Whale (published in 2001)
- The Little Yellow Digger Goes to School (published in 2005)
- The Little Digger and the Bones (published in 2009)
The very first Little Yellow Digger book was even translated into the Māori language. Its Māori title is Te Mīhini Iti Kōwhai.
Other Cool Books
In 1990, Betty put together a collection of short stories. It was called Under the Rainbow: A Treasury of New Zealand Children's Stories.
She also wrote a book about another author, Mary Anne Barker. This book was called The Seven Lives of Lady Barker. Betty also wrote Sea Change: 145 Years of New Zealand Junior Fiction, which is about children's books in New Zealand. She also wrote a book about famous author Margaret Mahy, called Introducing Margaret Mahy.
In 2012, Betty wrote her own life story, called My Life in Two Halves.
Betty Gilderdale also helped start the Children’s Media Watch group. She was the president of this group. She was also the president and a lifelong member of the Children’s Literature Association of New Zealand. She worked hard to support children's books and media.
Awards and Recognition
Betty Gilderdale received many awards for her work:
- In 1994, she won the Margaret Mahy Medal and Lecture Award. This award is given for important contributions to children's literature.
- In 1999, she won the New Zealand Children’s Literature Association’s Award for Services to Children’s Literature. The next year, this award was renamed the Storylines Betty Gilderdale Award in her honor.
- Her book, The Little Yellow Digger, won the 2003 Storylines Gaelyn Gordon Award for a Much-loved Book.
- Her book, A Sea Change: 145 Years of New Zealand Junior Fiction, won the PEN Award for best first book of prose.
In 2014, Betty Gilderdale was given a special honor. She was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM). This was to recognize her great work for children's literature.
