Bob Kerr (author and artist) facts for kids
Bob Kerr was born in 1951. He is a talented author, illustrator, and artist from Wellington, New Zealand. He is well-known for writing and drawing children's books. He has won many awards for his amazing work.
About Bob Kerr
Bob Kerr was born in 1951 in Wellington, New Zealand. He spent his childhood in Tokoroa. In 1974, he earned a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Auckland.
While at university, in 1973, he helped edit Craccum. This was a weekly magazine for students at Auckland University Students' Association. With his friend Stephen Ballantyne, he created a comic called Terry and the Gunrunners. This comic was so popular that it was made into a TV show twice! The first TV series came out in 1985. A newer version was released in 2016. The original comic book was also re-released in 2015.
Bob Kerr has also helped choose winners for important book awards. He was a judge for the New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards in 2005 and 2012. In 2005, he was even the main person in charge of the judging panel.
Many of Bob Kerr's stories have been featured in the New Zealand School Journal. This is a special magazine used in schools across New Zealand. He was also included in a book celebrating 100 years of the New Zealand School Journal.
Bob Kerr's Art and Paintings
Bob Kerr is also a painter. His paintings often show important moments from history. He has created art about different historical events. These include stories of people who refused to fight in wars and scientists. He has also painted about the New Zealand Wars and the 1912 Waihi miners' strike.
One of his most famous paintings is on the cover of a very important book. It's on Michael King's book, The Penguin History of New Zealand, which came out in 2003.
Awards and Book Prizes
Bob Kerr has won many awards for his books and illustrations. Here are some of them:
- 1993 AIM Children’s Book Awards: Best First Book for The Optimist.
- 1993 AIM Children’s Book Awards: Junior Fiction Shortlist for The Optimist.
- 1994 AIM Children’s Book Awards: Picture Book Shortlist for The Day of the Rain.
- 1997 New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards: Children’s Choice Winner for Mechanical Harry.
- 1997 New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards: Picture Book Shortlist for Mechanical Harry.
- 1999 New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards: Junior Fiction Shortlist for Strange Tales from the Mall.
- 2000 Storylines Notable Book Awards: Picture Books List for Mechanical Harry and the Flying Bicycle.
- 2001 Russell Clark Award: Winner for After the War.
- 2001 Esther Glen Award: Shortlist for After the War.
- 2001 New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards: Picture Book Shortlist for After the War.
- 2001 PANZ Book Design Awards: Best Use of Illustration Winner for After the War.
- 2001 Storylines Notable Book Awards: Picture Books List for After the War.
- 2016 Storylines Notable Book Award (Picture Book) for Changing Times: The Story of a New Zealand Town and its Newspaper.
- 2016 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults: Finalist for the Elsie Locke Non-Fiction Award for Changing Times.
- 2016 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults: Finalist for the Russell Clark Award for Illustration for Changing Times.
