Gabrielle Wang facts for kids

Gabrielle Wang is an Australian author and artist who creates books for kids and teenagers. She lives in Melbourne. Many of her books have won or been nominated for important awards. She was even named the Australian Children's Laureate for 2022 and 2023.

About Gabrielle Wang's Early Life

Gabrielle Wang was born in Melbourne, Australia. Her family has lived in Australia for a long time. Her ancestors came to Australia during the Australian gold rushes in the 1800s.

She studied to become a graphic designer in Melbourne. Later, she learned about painting and languages in Taiwan and China.

Gabrielle Wang's Career

Before becoming a full-time writer, Gabrielle Wang taught Chinese at RMIT University in Melbourne. Her books are often inspired by her own experiences. She grew up with two different cultures, and this influences her stories.

One of her children's novels, A Ghost in my Suitcase, was turned into a play. The Barking Gecko Theatre performed it in 2019.

Awards and Special Recognition

Gabrielle Wang has received many honors for her work. In March 2022, she was chosen as the Australian Children's Laureate. This is a special role for a children's author or illustrator. They help promote reading and books for kids. She held this role for 2022 and 2023.

In January 2023, she was asked to give a special talk. It was called the Wang Gungwu Lecture at the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations.

Awards for Her Books

Many of Gabrielle Wang's books have been recognized with awards or nominations. Here are some of them:

• The Garden of Empress Cassia
  • Nominated for the Aurealis Awards in 2002. This was for Best Children's Long Fiction (ages 8-12).
• The Pearl of Tiger Bay
  • Nominated for the Aurealis Awards in 2004. This was also for Best Children's Long Fiction (ages 8-12).
• The Lion Drummer
  • Named a Notable Book in 2009 by the Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards.
• A Ghost in my Suitcase
  • Nominated for the Sakura Medal in 2011.
  • Named a Notable Book in 2010 by the Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards.
  • Nominated for the Aurealis Awards in 2009. This was for Best Children's Long Fiction (ages 8-12).
• The Race for the Chinese Zodiac
  • Nominated for the WAYRBA, YABBA, and KOALA Awards in 2011.
• Our Australian Girl: Meet Poppy
  • Nominated for the YABBA, Kroc, COOL, and KOALA Awards in 2012.
  • Also nominated in the 2012 WAYRBA Awards.
• The Wishbird
  • Named a Notable Book in 2014 by the Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards.
  • Nominated for the Australian Book Design Awards in 2014.
  • Nominated for the YABBA, Kroc, and KOALA Awards in 2014.
  • Nominated for the Crystal Kite Award in 2014.
• The Beast of Hushing Wood
  • Nominated for the Speech Pathology Awards in 2018.
• Ting Ting the Ghosthunter
  • Nominated for the Aurealis Awards in 2018. This was for Best Long Children's Fiction.
• Zadie Ma and the Dog Who Chased the Moon
  • Nominated for the Children's Book Award, 2023 Queensland Literary Awards.
  • Nominated for the Children's Award, 2023 Prime Minister's Literary Awards.

Selected Books by Gabrielle Wang

Here is a list of some of the books Gabrielle Wang has written:

• The Garden of Empress Cassia, Penguin Australia (2002)
• The Pearl of Tiger Bay Penguin Australia (2004)
• Kids Night In 2 Penguin Australia (2005)
• 'The Hidden Monastery' Puffin Books (2006)
• 'The Lion Drummer' Puffin Books (2008)
• 'A Ghost in my Suitcase' Penguin Australia (2009)
• 'Little Paradise' Puffin Books (2010)
• 'The Race for the Chinese Zodiac' Black Dog Books (2012)
• 'Poppy Comes Home' Bk 4 Puffin Books (2011)
• 'Poppy and the Thief' Bk 3 Puffin Books (2011)
• 'Poppy at Summerhill' Bk 2 Puffin Books (2011)
• 'Meet Poppy' Bk1 Puffin Books (2011)
• 'The Wishbird' Penguin Australia (2013)
• 'Pearlie's Ghost' Bk 4 Penguin Australia (2014)
• 'Pearlie the Spy' Bk 3 Penguin Australia (2014)
• 'Pearlie's Pet Rescue' Bk 2 Penguin Australia (2014)
• 'Meet Pearlie' Bk 1 Penguin Australia (2014)
• 'The Poppy Stories (4 books in 1) Penguin Australia (2016)
• 'Two Enchanted Tales from Old China' Christmas Press (2017)
• 'The Beast of Hushing Wood' Penguin Australia (2017)
• 'The Pearlie Stories' (4 books in 1) Penguin RH (2018)
• 'Ting Ting the Ghost Hunter' Penguin RH (2018)
• 'Zadie Ma and the Dog Who Chased the Moon' Penguin RH (2022)