Gavin Bishop facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gavin Bishop
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Bishop in 2018
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| Born | Gavin John Bishop 1946 (age 78–79) Invercargill, New Zealand |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Language | English |
| Alma mater | University of Canterbury |
| Spouse | Vivien Bishop |
| Children | 3 |
Gavin John Bishop ONZM (born 1946) is a well-known author and illustrator from Invercargill, New Zealand. He is famous for creating wonderful picture books for children. He has also drawn pictures for books by other important New Zealand authors. These include Joy Cowley and Margaret Mahy. Bishop's very first published picture book was Mrs McGinty and the Bizarre Plant. It came out in 1981.
Early Life and Background
Gavin Bishop was born on February 13, 1946. His birthplace was Invercargill, New Zealand. His family has connections to the Tainui and Ngāti Awa Māori tribes.
A Career in Art and Books
Before he started writing and illustrating children's books full-time, Gavin Bishop worked as a high school art teacher. He taught art for thirty years.
In 2006, there was a disagreement involving his 1997 school book. He believed his book, The Secret Lives of Mr and Mrs Smith, was too similar to a Hollywood film. The film was called Mr and Mrs Smith.
Awards and Special Honours
Gavin Bishop has received many awards for his amazing work. Here are some of them:
- 2022 – He won the Margaret Mahy Book of the Year award. He also received the Nonfiction and Illustration awards for his book Atua.
- 2018 – He won the Margaret Mahy Book of the Year Award again. This was for his book Aotearoa: The New Zealand Story. This award was given at the New Zealand Children's Book Awards.
- 2013 – He was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit. This honour was for his great contributions to Children's Literature.
- 2013 – He received the Mallinson Rendel Illustrators Award.
- 2013, 2000, 1994, 1983 – He won the picture book category at the New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards multiple times.
- 2010, 2008, 2006, 1982 – He was awarded the LIANZA Russell Clark Medal for Illustration several times.
- 2000 – He received the Margaret Mahy Medal. This was for his services to Children's Literature.
- 1984 – He won the Grand Prize at the Noma Concours for Picture Book Illustrations.
See also
- New Zealand literature
