Natalie Jane Prior facts for kids

Natalie Jane Prior is an Australian writer of children's literature and young adult fiction.

Biography

Prior was born in 1963 in Brisbane, Australia, where she also currently lives with her husband and daughter. She is best known for her internationally successful children's fantasy series, Lily Quench, which has been published in more than twenty countries. Her first fiction book, The Amazing Adventures of Amabel, was published in 1990. She is also the author of The Minivers series and many other books including the picture book PomPom, illustrated by long-time collaborator, Cheryl Orsini, and three picture books about The Paw, illustrated by Terry Denton. Her most recent book is The Fairy Dancers, also illustrated by Cheryl Orsini. Prior's work has been a finalist at the Children's Book Council of Australia Awards as well as being honoured and named as notable. Her book, Fireworks and Darkness, won the 2003 Davitt Awards for best young-adult novel and Lily Quench and the Lighthouse of Skellig Mor won the 2003 Aurealis Award for best children's short fiction. She has also been nominated for an Aurealis Award on three other occasions for best short fiction, long fiction and young-adult novel.

Nominations and awards

Aurealis Awards

• Best children's long fiction
  • 2002: Nomination: Lily Quench and the Treasure of Mote Ely
• Best children's short fiction
  • 2003: Win: Lily Quench and the Lighthouse of Skellig Mor
  • 2003: Nomination: Lily Quench and the Magicians' Pyramid
• Best young-adult novel
  • 2002: Nomination: Fireworks and Darkness

Children's Book Council of Australia Awards

• Picture Book of the Year
  • 1994: Honour: The Paw
• Eve Pownall Award for Information Books
  • 1995: Nominated: Bog Bodies, Mummies and Curious Corpses

Davitt Awards

• Best young-adult novel
  • 2003: Won: Fireworks and Darkness