Martin Waddell facts for kids

Martin Waddell (born 10 April 1941) is a famous writer of children's books from Belfast, Northern Ireland. He is especially known for his picture books about animals that act like people. His popular Little Bear series, illustrated by Barbara Firth, is a great example.

He also writes exciting stories for older children, like ghost stories and mysteries. For these, he uses the pen name Catherine Sefton. One of his well-known books as Catherine Sefton is In a Blue Velvet Dress, published in 1972.

In 2004, Martin Waddell received the Hans Christian Andersen Medal. This is a very important award given to children's writers for their amazing contributions over time.

Martin Waddell's Early Life and Writing Journey

Martin Waddell was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He has spent most of his life in Newcastle, which is in nearby County Down.

A Love for Stories and Animals

As a child, Martin loved animals and was a lively storyteller. This passion for telling stories stayed with him. When he was young, he dreamed of becoming a football player. He even signed with the Fulham team! He once scored three goals in his first adult football game, but he ended up playing as a goalkeeper.

When he realized professional football wasn't his future, Martin turned to writing. He first wrote books for adults. His first big success was a funny thriller called Otley. This book was even made into a movie!

Writing for Young Readers

In the late 1960s, Martin moved back to Northern Ireland. He started writing books that reflected the changes happening in his home country. Soon, his love for storytelling led him to write books for children.

Many of Martin Waddell's stories are inspired by things that happened in his life or places near the Mourne Mountains. He once said, "I've been blown up, buried alive and had cancer as an adult, and survived all these experiences, so I'm a very lucky man." This shows how he uses his experiences to create his stories.

Awards for Wonderful Books

Martin Waddell and illustrator Barbara Firth won the Kurt Maschler Award in 1989 for their book The Park in the Dark. This award celebrated British children's books where the words and pictures worked perfectly together.

The Hans Christian Andersen Award is given every two years by the International Board on Books for Young People. It's the highest honor a children's writer or illustrator can receive. Martin Waddell won the writing award in 2004. In November 2024, he also received the "Lifetime Achievement Award" at the Irish Book Awards.

Popular Books by Martin Waddell

Martin Waddell has written many beloved books for children. Here are some of his most famous works.

The Little Bear Series

The Little Bear picture books are written by Martin Waddell and beautifully illustrated by Barbara Firth. They are published by Walker Books.

• Can't You Sleep, Little Bear? (1988) – This book won the Smarties Prize.
• Let's Go Home, Little Bear (1991)
• You and Me, Little Bear (1996)
• Well Done, Little Bear (1999); also known as Good Job, Little Bear in the US.
• Sleep Tight, Little Bear (2005)

Mimi Mouse Books

The Mimi Mouse picture books were written by Martin Waddell and illustrated by Leo Hartas.

• Mimi and the Dream House (1995)
• Mimi and the Picnic (1995)
• Mimi's Christmas (1997)

Other Fantastic Picture Books

• The Park in the Dark (1989), illustrated by Barbara Firth, which won the Kurt Maschler Award.
• Farmer Duck (Walker, 1991), illustrated by Helen Oxenbury. This book won the British Illustrated Children's Book of the Year and the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize.
• Owl Babies (Walker, 1992), illustrated by Patrick Benson.

Novels for Older Readers

Martin Waddell also wrote novels, especially under his pen name, Catherine Sefton.

• In a Blue Velvet Dress (1972), as Catherine Sefton.
• The Back House Ghosts (1974), as Catherine Sefton.