Paul Jennings (Australian author) facts for kids

Paul Jennings (born 30 April 1943) is a famous Australian writer. He was born in England but moved to Australia when he was young. He writes amazing short stories for kids, teens, and adults.

Paul Jennings is best known for his exciting short stories. These stories often take readers on an unusual journey. They always end with a surprising twist!

Many of his stories were turned into a popular children's TV show. This show was called Round the Twist. He also worked with another author, Morris Gleitzman. Together, they wrote the book series Wicked! and Deadly!. The Wicked! series was even made into an animated TV show.

Early Life and Education

Paul Jennings was born on April 30, 1943. His birthplace was Heston, in England. In 1949, when he was six years old, his family moved to Australia.

He went to Bentleigh West Primary School in Melbourne. Later, he attended Caulfield Grammar School.

Paul studied at Frankston Teachers' College. He earned a Bachelor of Education Studies. After college, he taught at several schools. He also taught at the Royal Children's Hospital State School.

Writing Career

Paul Jennings started his career as a speech pathologist. He also taught special education at colleges. Later, he became a Senior Lecturer in Language and Literature.

In 1985, his first book of short stories came out. It was called Unreal!. He started writing for children because his son, who was 11, found reading difficult.

Many of Jennings's short stories became TV shows. Round the Twist used his stories for its first two seasons. This was in 1989 and 1992. Another series, Driven Crazy, also used his stories in 1998.

In 2020, Paul Jennings published his memoir. A memoir is a book about a person's own life. His book was called Untwisted: The Story of My Life. It was his longest piece of writing.

Personal Life

Paul Jennings first got married when he was 22. He has six children. He is also a great-grandfather.

His third wife is the comedian Mary-Anne Fahey. He has two step-children. He also has two adopted children. Some of his stories are inspired by children looking for their birth parents. Today, Paul Jennings lives in Warrnambool, Victoria.

Awards and Honours

Paul Jennings has won many awards for his writing. These awards show how much people love his books.

• In 1992, he received a Gold Puffin Award. This was for selling one million books in Australia.
• In 1995, he was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM). This is a special honour for his service to children's literature.
• In 1998, he was named Favourite Australian Author. This was by Dymocks Children's Choice Awards.
• In 2000, he won the Dromkeen Medal. This award is for big contributions to children's literature.
• In 2019, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award. This was from the Children's Book Council of Australia.

Awards for Specific Books

Paul Jennings's books have won many awards too. Here are some of them:

Young Australians' Best Book Award (YABBA):

• 1987 Unreal! – Winner, best book for older readers.
• 1989 The Cabbage Patch Fib – Winner, best book for younger readers.
• 1991 Round The Twist – Winner, best book for older readers.
• 1995 The Gizmo – Winner, fiction for younger readers.
• 1998 Wicked! – Winner, fiction for older readers.

Canberra's Own Outstanding List (COOL Award):

• 1991 Round The Twist – Winner, Primary Section.
• 1995 The Gizmo – Winner, Primary Section.
• 2001 The Paw Thing – Winner, Coolest Book of the Decade.

West Australian Young Readers' Book Award (WAYRBA):

• 1989 Unreal! – Winner of Special Award.
• 1991 The Paw Thing – Winner of Hoffman Award.

Kids Own Australian Literature Award (KOALA):

• 1990 Unreal! – Winner Secondary Readers Section.
• 1994 Undone! – Winner Infant/Primary Readers Section.

Kids Reading Oz Choice Award (KROC):

• 1990 Uncanny! – Winner Most Popular Oz Book.
• 1997 Wicked! – Winner Most Popular Oz Book.

Books I Love Best Yearly (BILBY Award):

• 1992 Unreal! – Winner Read Alone Primary Section.

Australian Writers' Guild:

• 1990, AWGIE Award – Best Children's Adaptation (TV) Round The Twist.

Wilderness Society Environment Award for Children's Literature:

• 1994, Picture Book – The Fisherman and the Theefyspray.

Prix Jeunesse Award:

• 1994 – Winner Round The Twist (Television Series).

Television

Many of Paul Jennings's stories have been adapted for television.

• Round The Twist (1989–2001)
• Driven Crazy (1998)
• Wicked! (2000-2001)

See also

• List of Caulfield Grammar School people