Nikki Slade Robinson facts for kids

Nikola Slade Robinson (born 1968), generally known as Nikki Slade Robinson, is a New Zealand children’s picture book writer and illustrator. Her books have been widely reviewed and shortlisted for a number of awards. The Little Kiwi’s Matariki won the Best Picture Book section of the 2016 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults.

Biography

Nikki (Nikola) Slade Robinson was born in Te Puke in 1968. From the age of five years, she drew constantly, read widely and wanted to make children’s books when she grew up. She was educated at Woodlands School and Ōpōtiki College, and studied for a Diploma of Visual Communications Design (Illustration) at Wellington Polytechnic. Her writing and illustrating career began with freelance work and submitting her portfolio to publishers. She illustrated her first book at age 21.

As well as writing and illustrating her own books, and illustrating books for others, she has worked on many educational titles including some in the Māori language for kura kaupapa Māori and kōhanga reo. She is an environmentalist and her work often covers themes of conservation.

Nikki Slade Robinson has two daughters and lives near Ōpōtiki.

Awards and prizes

Several of her books have won or been shortlisted for book awards. The Little Kiwi’s Matariki was Best Picture Book winner in the 2016 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. She has received Storylines Notable Book Awards for The Seven Stars of Matariki/Te Huihui o Matariki (2009), Muddle & Mo (2016), Witch's Cat Wanted: Apply Within (2017) and Muddle and Mo’s Rainy Day (2019).

Other awards include the LIANZA Te Kura Pounamu Medal Winner for The Puriri Tree/Te Puriri (2001), Sir Julius Vogel Finalist for Professional Illustration for The Seven Stars of Matariki/Te Huihui o Matariki (2009), Pride in Print: Highly Commended Professional Design for In Love with Moko (2102) and New Zealand Children's Art House Foundation award for Artist Most Supporting Children (2017).