Rosanne Hawke facts for kids

Rosanne Hawke was born in 1953 in Penola, South Australia. She is a well-known Australian author who has written more than 25 books for young adults and children. Rosanne also teaches creative writing, especially how to write for children, at Tabor Adelaide. She has a special degree called a PhD in creative writing from the University of Adelaide.

About Rosanne Hawke's Writing

Rosanne Hawke lives in a charming old Cornish farmhouse near Kapunda, South Australia. She has spent a lot of time learning about the history of Cornish people in Australia and how their stories appear in children's books. Her books often explore themes like different cultures, faith, friendships, finding your place, music, and even cats!

How Rosanne Started Writing

Rosanne's first short story was published in her school magazine in Moura, Queensland, back in 1967 when she was in Year 8. When she was 14, she moved back to South Australia and went to Gawler High School. There, she won an Arts Scholarship to help her finish high school. She even started writing a romantic novel when she was 17, but she later decided to burn it! Rosanne didn't start writing seriously until she was working in the Middle East and Pakistan. At that time, she was teaching English as a Second Language and raising her children.

Rosanne's Famous Books and Awards

Rosanne Hawke's books have won many awards and have been recognized for their quality. She was a finalist for the Australian Aurealis Awards and won a Kanga Awards Focus List prize.

Some of her most popular books include:

• Kelsey and the Quest of the Porcelain Doll: This book was named a Notable Book by the Children's Book Council of Australia.
• Across the Creek: This story won the Cornish 2005 Holyer an Gof Award for Children's Literature.
• Taj and the Great Camel Trek: This book won the 2012 Adelaide Festival Children's Book Award.

Rosanne has also received awards for her teaching, like the Tabor Adelaide Award for Teaching Excellence. She won a Carclew Fellowship at SA Writers Week in 2006 and the 2014 Nance Donkin Award. She is even officially known as a "Bard of Cornwall," which is a special honor for people who celebrate Cornish culture.

According to writer Emma Bennett, Rosanne Hawke was one of the first authors to include many different cultures in her children's books. Her experiences teaching in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates likely helped her write these diverse stories.

Awards and Recognitions

Rosanne Hawke has received many honors for her writing. Here are some of them:

• Jehan and the quest of the lost dog – Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Notable Book 2018.
• Awarded the Carclew Fellowship, at Writers Week, Adelaide 2008.
• Awarded 'Bard of Cornwall' in 2006.
• Mustara – Shortlisted in NSW Premier Literary Awards 2007, and CBCA Notable Book.
• Across the Creek – Winner of the children's section of the Cornish 2005 Holyer and Gof Trophy.
• Soraya the Storyteller – Shortlisted in 2005 Australian Children's Book Awards and in SA Festival Awards; commended in The Victorian Premier's Awards; chosen as One Book One Salisbury in the Salisbury Writers' Festival.
• Wolfchild – Commendation in the open Cornish 2004 Hoyler and Gof Trophy, shortlisted for Aurealis Awards 2003, Australian Children's Book Council Notable Book, nominated for Kanga Awards.
• Sailmaker – Australian Children's Book Council Notable Book, and shortlisted for Kanga Awards, 2003.
• The Keeper – Chosen for The Adelaide Collection.
• Re-entry – Australian Children's Book Council Notable Book 1996, nominated for CROWS Award 1996.
• Jihad – Shortlisted for Christian Schools Book Award 1999.
• Arts SA literature grant 2007.
• Asialink Fellowship to Pakistan 2006.
• May Gibbs Fellowship 2004.
• Varuna Fellowship 2000.
• ARTSA Emerging Artists Grants 1999 and 1996.
• Out of time funds granted for Literary Trip to Cornwall by Country Arts SA and Arts SA 2005.