Joy Cowley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joy Cowley
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At the 2012 Frankfurt Book Fair
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| Born | Cassia Joy Summers 7 August 1936 Levin, New Zealand |
| Pen name | Joy Cowley |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Language | English |
| Period | 1967–present |
| Notable awards | Honorary DLitt (Massey University) |
| Spouse |
Malcolm Mason
(m. 1970; died 1985)Terry Coles
(m. 1989; died 2022) |
Joy Cowley (born 7 August 1936) is a famous author from New Zealand. She is best known for her amazing children's books, like the popular series about Mrs. Wishy-Washy.
Contents
Joy Cowley's Writing Journey
Joy Cowley started her writing career by creating novels for adults. Her first book, Nest in a Falling Tree (1967), was even turned into a movie! The famous writer Roald Dahl helped adapt it for the screen. It became the 1971 film The Night Digger.
After this success, Joy Cowley wrote more adult novels. However, today she is most famous for her children's books. One of her well-known children's novels is The Silent One (1981), which also became a film in 1985. Other popular books include Bow Down Shadrach (1991) and its follow-up, Gladly, Here I Come (1994).
Joy Cowley has written many picture books, too. Some of these include The Duck in the Gun (1969) and The Terrible Taniwha of Timberditch (1982). The Duck in the Gun is a special book that shares an important message against war.
She has also helped many young readers. Joy Cowley has written around 500 "reading books" (also called basal readers). These books help children learn to read and improve their reading skills.
Awards and Special Honours
Joy Cowley has received many awards for her wonderful books. In 1990, she was given the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal. In 1992, she became an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). This was for her great work in children's literature.
The next year, she received an honorary Doctorate of Letters from Massey University. This is a special degree given to people who have achieved a lot. She also received the New Zealand Suffrage Centennial Medal in 1993.
In 1993, Joy Cowley won the Margaret Mahy Award. This award is given to people who have made a big difference in children's literature. The Storylines Childrens Literature Charitable Trust created the Joy Cowley Award in 2002. This award celebrates her amazing contribution to children's books in New Zealand and around the world.
Joy Cowley has won the top "Book of the Year" award three times at the New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards. She won for The Silent One in 1982, Hunter in 2006, and Snake and Lizard in 2008. She also won other awards in different categories for books like Ticket to the Sky Dance (1998) and Starbright and the Dream Eater (1999).
In 2005, she was made a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (DCNZM). This was for her services to children's literature. In 2009, she chose not to accept the title of "Dame."
In 2018, Joy Cowley was made a Member of the Order of New Zealand (ONZ). This is a very high honour for her services to New Zealand. In 2020, she received an Arts Foundation of New Zealand Icon Award. This special award is given to only 20 living people.
Joy Cowley's Personal Life
Joy Cowley has been married three times. Her first husband was Ted Cowley, and they had four children together. Later, she married Malcolm Mason, who was a writer and accountant.
In 1989, Joy Cowley married Terry Coles. They lived together for many years in the beautiful Marlborough Sounds. Later, they moved to Wellington and then to Featherston. Joy Cowley still lives in Featherston today. She has 13 grandchildren and continues to write full-time. Terry Coles passed away in 2022.
Recent Books by Joy Cowley
- 1986 – Turnips For Dinner, illustrated by Jan van der Voo, 16pp., ISBN: 0-87449-368-4
- 1986 – The King's Pudding, illustrated by Martin Bailey, 16pp., ISBN: 0-87449-370-6
- 2007 – Snake and Lizard, illustrated by Gavin Bishop, 102pp.,(Gecko Press), ISBN: 978-0-9582787-3-7
- 2009 – Friends: Snake and Lizard, illustrated by Gavin Bishop, 144pp.,(Gecko Press), ISBN: 978-1-877467-25-7
- 2010 – The Fierce Little Woman and the Wicked Pirate, 40pp.,(Gecko Press), ISBN: 9781877467400
- 2011 – Stories of the Wild West Gang, 362pp.,(Gecko Press), ISBN: 978-1-877467-85-1
- 2013 – Dunger, 156pp.,(Gecko Press), ISBN: 978-1-877579-46-2
- 2014 – Speed of Light, 208pp.,(Gecko Press), ISBN: 978-1-877579-93-6
- 2015 – The Bakehouse, 140pp.,(Gecko Press), ISBN: 978-1-776570-07-2
- 2016 – The Road to Ratenburg, 200pp.,(Gecko Press) ISBN: 978-1-776570-75-1
- 2017 – Helper and Helper, 128pp.,(Gecko Press) ISBN: 978-1-776571-05-5
- 2018 - Snake and Lizard Anniversary Edition, illustrated by Gavin Bishop, 102pp.,(Gecko Press) ISBN: 978-1-877467-25-7
See also
In Spanish: Joy Cowley para niños
- New Zealand literature
