Jack Lasenby facts for kids

Jack Lasenby (born John Millen Lasenby, 1931–2019) was a famous writer from New Zealand. He wrote more than 30 exciting books for kids and teenagers. Many of his stories won awards or were chosen as top books. He also received special honors like the Margaret Mahy Medal in 2003 and a Prime Minister's Award in 2014.

Jack Lasenby's Life Story

A quote from The Conjuror by Jack Lasenby, found on the Wellington Writers Walk.

Jack Lasenby was born on March 9, 1931. His hometown was Waharoa, a small farming area in the Waikato region of New Zealand. He was the son of Linda and Owen Lasenby. Jack went to Waharoa Primary School. Later, he attended Matamata Intermediate and Matamata College from 1943 to 1949.

Early Education and Friendships

From 1950 to 1952, Jack studied at Auckland University College. There, he met Margaret Mahy, who also became a very well-known children's writer. Jack said Margaret was one of the smartest people he knew. He called her a dear friend and a constant source of fun and imagination. Margaret Mahy, in turn, said Jack was perhaps the most truly New Zealand writer for children.

Jack's Many Jobs and Adventures

Before becoming a full-time writer, Jack had many different jobs. He worked as a postman, a waterfront worker, and a gardener. He was also a fisherman and a general labourer. For about ten years, he worked as a deer-culler and possum-trapper in Te Urewera. Jack often said that he learned how to tell amazing "tall tales" from sharing stories around campfires during this time.

He also worked as a primary school teacher. Later, he became an editor for the School Journal. He even taught English at Wellington Teachers' College. Jack retired at age 55 to focus completely on writing his books.

The Magic of Jack's Stories

Jack Lasenby's books are known for being funny, clever, and full of imagination. They feature unforgettable and often hilarious characters. You might meet Harry Wakatipu, a talking horse, or the funny Aunt Effie and Uncle Trev. His stories cover many different types of adventures. Some are tall tales or yarns, while others are science fiction or set in a future world. Many of his books are set in the New Zealand bush. Others are based on his own childhood during the Great Depression in a small New Zealand town. He remembered that his childhood area, Matamata, was "alive with stories." These stories could be sad, funny, or even a bit spooky.

Life in Wellington

In the 1980s, Jack lived in Paremata, near Wellington. He enjoyed sailing on the Porirua Harbour and Pauatahanui Inlet. He even published poems with poet Sam Hunt and Ian Riggir. They used an old printing press from 1886. Jack raised his daughter and two stepchildren there. He lived in central Wellington for many years and passed away on September 27, 2019, at the age of 88.

Awards and Recognitions for Jack Lasenby

Many of Jack Lasenby's books were recognized with awards. Some were shortlisted for prizes, meaning they were among the top choices. Others won the main award, or were named Storylines Notable Books.

Winning Book Awards

• The Mangrove Summer won the Esther Glen Award in 1989.
• The Waterfall was the junior fiction winner in the 1996 AIM Children's Book Awards.
• The Battle of Pook Island won the junior fiction category in the 1997 New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards.
• Because We Were the Travellers received an honour award in 1999.
• Taur won the senior fiction category in the 1999 New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards.
• Aunt Effie and the Island that Sank won the junior fiction section in 2005.
• Old Drumble won the junior fiction section in 2009.
• Calling the Gods won the young adult section in 2012.
• Uncle Trev, first published in 1991, won the Storylines Gaelyn Gordon Award for a Much-Loved Book in 2012. This award celebrates books that readers have loved for a long time.

Special Fellowships and Honors

Jack Lasenby also received several special fellowships. These are awards that give writers time and support to work on their books.

• He was awarded the Buddle Findlay Sargeson Fellowship in 1991.
• He received the Victoria University of Wellington writing fellowship in 1993.
• He was the University of Otago College of Education writer-in-residence in 1995.

In 2002, the Wellington Children's Book Association created the Jack Lasenby Award in his honor. His importance as a writer from Wellington was also recognized with a plaque. This plaque is part of the Wellington Writers Walk. It was revealed by Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae on March 21, 2013.

In 2003, Jack Lasenby received the Margaret Mahy Medal and Lecture Award. This is a very important award for children's literature in New Zealand. In 2014, he was given the Prime Minister's Award for Literary Achievement for Fiction. This award recognizes his great contribution to New Zealand writing.

Books by Jack Lasenby

Here is a list of some of the books Jack Lasenby wrote:

• Lost and Found, photographs by Ans Westra (1970)
• 2 Grandfathers (1972)
• Chatham Islands, illustrated by Roger Hart (1973)
• Jackie Andersen (1973)
• Charlie the Cheeky Kea, ill. Nancy Finlayson (1974)
• Rewi the Red Deer, ill. Nancy Finlayson (1976)
• The Lake (1987)
• The Mangrove Summer (1988)
• Uncle Trev (1991)
• Uncle Trev and the Great South Island Plan (1991)
• Uncle Trev and the Treaty of Waitangi (1992)
• The Conjuror (1992)
• Harry Wakatipu (1993)
• Dead Man's Head (1994)
• The Waterfall (1995)
• The Battle of Pook Island (1996)
• Because We were the Travellers [Travellers, Book One] (1997)
• Uncle Trev's Teeth and Other Stories (1997)
• Taur [Travellers, Book Two] (1998)
• The Shaman and the Droll [Travellers, Book Three] (1999)
• The Lies of Harry Wakatipu (2000)
• Kalik [Travellers, Book Four] (2001)
• Aunt Effie, ill. David Elliot (2002)
• Harry Wakatipu Comes the Mong (2003)
• Aunt Effie's Ark, ill. David Elliot (2003)
• Aunt Effie and the Island that Sank, ill. David Elliot (2004)
• What Makes a Teacher? (2004)
• Mr Bluenose (2005)
• The Tears of Harry Wakatipu (2006)
• When Mum Went Funny (2006)
• Billy and Old Smoko (2007)
• Old Drumble (2008)
• Aunt Effie and Mrs Drizzle, ill. David Elliot (2008)
• The Haystack (2010)
• Calling the Gods (2011)
• Uncle Trev and his Whistling Bull (2012)
• Grandad's Wheelies, ill. Bob Kerr (2016)