Dorothy Butler facts for kids

Dorothy Butler was a special New Zealand author, bookseller, and champion for reading. She wrote many books for children and helped families discover the joy of reading. She was born on April 24, 1925, and passed away on September 20, 2015. Dorothy also received an important award called the Eleanor Farjeon Award for her work.

Dorothy Butler's Early Life and Family

Dorothy Butler, whose full name was Muriel Dorothy Norgrove, was born in Grey Lynn, a part of Auckland, New Zealand. Her birthday was April 24, 1925. She went to Auckland Girls' Grammar School for her education. Later, she studied at Auckland University College. She earned her degree in 1947.

In 1947, Dorothy married Roy Edward Butler. They had a big family together. They were parents to eight children, including six daughters and two sons. Dorothy Butler passed away in Te Atatū Peninsula, Auckland, on September 20, 2015.

Dorothy Butler's Work and Impact

Dorothy Butler was famous for her love of books and reading. She opened her own special shop called the Dorothy Butler Children's Bookshop in Auckland. This bookshop is still open today, though it has new owners. It has been a place where many children found their favorite stories.

Dorothy also wrote amazing books that helped parents and teachers. A writer from Canada, Michele Landsberg, said that Dorothy's book Babies Need Books was "trail-blazing." This means it was very new and helpful. It gave great advice on how to read with babies.

Another important book was Cushla and Her Books. This book told the true story of how books helped a child named Cushla. Cushla had many challenges, but picture books made a big difference in her life. This story showed how powerful books can be.

Awards and Special Recognitions

Dorothy Butler received many honors for her work. She earned a special diploma from the University of Auckland. This was for her study about her granddaughter, Cushla. This study later became the book Cushla and Her Books.

In 1980, Dorothy won the Eleanor Farjeon Award. This award is given to people who do great work in children's books.

She also received the Margaret Mahy Award in 1992. This award is named after another famous New Zealand children's author. Winners of this award give a special talk about children's literature. Dorothy's talk was called Telling Tales. In 1991, she won the Betty Gilderdale Award for her services to children's literature.

In 1993, Dorothy Butler was given a special honor by the Queen. She was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). This was to recognize her amazing contributions to children's literature.

Books by Dorothy Butler

Dorothy Butler wrote many different kinds of books. She wrote non-fiction books to help adults, her own life story, and many fun books for children.

Non-fiction Books

• Babies Need Books
• Children, Books and Families
• Cushla and Her Books
• Five to Eight: Vital Years for Reading
• Reading Begins at Home: Preparing Children for Reading Before They Go to School (with Marie Clay)

Her Own Story (Autobiography)

• There Was a Time
• All This and a Bookshop Too

Children's Books

Collections of Stories and Poems (Anthologies)

• For Me, Me, Me: Poems for the Very Young
• I Will Build You a House: Poems
• The Magpies Said: Stories and Poems from New Zealand
• Reading for Enjoyment for 0-6 Year Olds

Images for kids

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  An assortment of Dorothy Butler books including multiple editions of Babies Need Books, her autobiography, Cushla and Her Books and My Brown Bear Barney.

See also

In Spanish: Dorothy Butler para niños