Libby Hathorn facts for kids
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Elizabeth Helen Hathorn (born in 1943) is an Australian writer and poet. She writes many books for children and young adults. Libby also works with schools and communities. She has won many awards for her books. Some of her stories have been translated into different languages. In 2001, she received a Centenary Medal for her work in children's theatre. In 2014, she won the Alice Award for her important contribution to Australian literature. She also won the Asher Peace Prize in 2017 and the ABIA Pixie O'Harris Award in 2022. This last award celebrates her excellent work and dedication to children's literature.
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Early Life and Education
Libby Hathorn was born in Newcastle, New South Wales. She studied at Balmain Teacher's College. From 1965 to 1981, she worked as a teacher and a librarian. She also earned a Master of Arts degree from Macquarie University.
Writing Career and Achievements
Libby Hathorn's stories are very popular. They have been translated into many languages. Some of her books have even been turned into plays and movies. She has won awards in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.
Books on Screen and Stage
A movie was made from Libby's popular young adult novel, Thunderwith. The movie was called The Echo of Thunder. It starred Judy Davis, who was nominated for an Emmy Award for her role.
In 2004, her children's picture book, Sky Sash So Blue, became an opera in Alabama, USA. Before that, Grandma's Shoes was performed as an opera by Opera Australia. Libby won an AWGIE Award in 2001 for writing the script for this opera.
Award-Winning Works
Libby Hathorn has written many books that have won awards.
- Her CD-ROM series Weirdstop won the Best Children's Product award in 2004.
- She wrote Way Home with pictures by Greg Rogers. This book won the Kate Greenaway Award in the UK. It was later made into a play.
- No! Never! which she wrote with her daughter Lisa Hathorn, was a CBCA Book of the Year for Younger Readers in 2021.
- Miss Franklin won the SWW Biennial Children's Book Award in 2019.
- Outside was a CBCA Notable Book in 2014. It is now being developed into a children's opera.
- A Soldier, A Dog and a Boy won the Asher Award in 2017.
- Her novel Fire Song was highly praised in the first Prime Minister's Literary Awards.
- No! Never! also won the Children's Book of the Year Award: Early Childhood in 2021.
Poetry and Community Work
Poetry is a big passion for Libby Hathorn. Many of her books are written as poems or are inspired by poetry. She has created projects like "100 Views" to celebrate communities through poetry. She also worked on "Power Poetry" with the Powerhouse Museum.
In 2010, she put together The ABC Book of Australian Poetry: A Treasury for Young People. In 2013, she published Women's Work: A Collection of Contemporary Women's Poetry. Some of her recent picture books, like A Baby for Loving and Butterfly, we're expecting you, are written in verse.
Libby Hathorn often speaks at conferences and festivals. As an Australia Day Ambassador, she visits towns each year. She talks about how important Australian literature is. In 2021, she produced an animation called 'What Rosie Hears'. It is about a child who is hearing impaired.
