Lynley Dodd facts for kids

Dame Lynley Stuart Dodd is a famous author and illustrator from New Zealand. She was born on July 5, 1941. She is best known for her amazing Hairy Maclary and Friends book series.

These books feature fun animals with rhyming names. They have sold over five million copies all around the world! In 1999, Lynley Dodd received the Margaret Mahy Award, which is a very special honour for children's authors. She was also made a Dame, which is like being given a special title for her great work.

About Lynley Dodd's Life and Books

A cool sculpture of Hairy Maclary and his friends in Tauranga, New Zealand.

Lynley Dodd grew up in Rotorua, New Zealand. She was an only child. She lived with her parents in a place called Kaingaroa Forest, which is near Taupō. She went to Iwitahi School and Tauranga College.

After school, she studied art at the Elam School of Fine Arts in Auckland. She earned a diploma in Fine Arts. Then, she became an art teacher for five years at Queen Margaret College, Wellington in Wellington. While teaching, she met her husband, Tony. He passed away in 2014.

Starting Her Writing Journey

After getting married, Lynley Dodd started working as a freelance illustrator. This means she drew pictures for different projects. Her very first book was My Cat Likes To Hide In Boxes, published in 1974. She wrote this book with her cousin-in-law, Eve Sutton.

Her first book that she wrote all by herself was The Nickle Nackle Tree, which came out in 1976.

The World of Hairy Maclary

In 1983, the first book in her super popular Hairy Maclary series was published. It was called Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy. This book introduced readers to the mischievous dog, Hairy Maclary, and his friends.

Many more books followed in the series, including Hairy Maclary’s Bone (1984) and Hairy Maclary Scattercat (1985). Several of her books won the New Zealand Children's Picture Book of the Year Award. In 1997, Lynley Dodd even wrote the scripts for a TV show based on the Hairy Maclary series!

In 2005, her book The Other Ark won the Children’s Choice Award. This was part of the New Zealand Post Book Awards. A fun fact: in 2015, a sculpture of Hairy Maclary and his friends was put up in Tauranga. It was even officially opened by the former New Zealand Prime Minister, John Key.

Another cool moment happened in 2019. The Prime Minister at the time, Jacinda Ardern, read Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy on a TV show called Goodnight Kiwi. As of 2019, Lynley Dodd lives in Tauranga.

Awards and Special Honours

Lynley Dodd has received many awards for her amazing contributions to children's books. In 1990, she was given the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal.

In 1999, she received the Margaret Mahy Award. This award celebrates a lifetime of achievement in children's literature. It's named after another famous New Zealand children's author.

In 2002, she was appointed a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. This is a very high honour given for great service to the country. In 2009, this title was changed, and she became a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. This means she can use the title "Dame" before her name. It's a special way to recognise her incredible work.

Most recently, in 2024, she received the Prime Minister's Awards for Literary Achievement. This shows how much her stories are loved and valued.

List of Books by Lynley Dodd

Here is a list of some of the wonderful books written and illustrated by Lynley Dodd:

• 1973 – My Cat Likes to Hide in Boxes
• 1976 – The Nickle Nackle Tree
• 1978 – Titimus Trim
• 1982 – The Apple Tree
• 1982 – The Smallest Turtle
• 1983 – Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy
• 1984 – Hairy Maclary's Bone
• 1985 – Hairy Maclary Scattercat
• 1986 – Wake Up, Bear
• 1987 – Hairy Maclary's Caterwaul Caper
• 1988 – A Dragon In A Wagon
• 1989 – Hairy Maclary's Rumpus at the Vet
• 1990 – Slinky Malinki
• 1991 – Find Me A Tiger
• 1991 – Hairy Maclary's Showbusiness
• 1992 – The Minister's Cat ABC
• 1993 – Slinky Malinki, Open The Door
• 1994 – Schnitzel von Krumm's Basketwork
• 1995 – Sniff-Snuff-Snap!
• 1996 – Schnitzel von Krumm Forget-Me-Not
• 1997 – Hairy Maclary, Sit
• 1998 – Slinky Malinki Catflaps
• 1999 – Hairy Maclary and Zachary Quack
• 2000 – Hedgehog Howdedo
• 2001 – Scarface Claw
• 2002 – Schnitzel von Krumm, Dogs Never Climb Trees
• 2004 – The Other Ark
• 2005 – Zachary Quack Minimonster
• 2006 – Slinky Malinki's Christmas Crackers
• 2007 – Hairy Maclary's Hat Tricks
• 2008 – The Dudgeon is Coming
• 2009 – Hairy Maclary, Shoo
• 2012 – Slinky Malinki, Early Bird
• 2017 – Scarface Claw, Hold Tight!