Ursula Dubosarsky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ursula Dubosarsky
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Dubosarsky in 2000
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| Born | 1961 Sydney, New South Wales |
| Occupation | Writer for children and young adults |
| Language | English |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Years active | 1989- |
Ursula Dubosarsky was born in 1961 in Sydney, Australia. Her birth name was Ursula Coleman. She is a well-known Australian writer. She writes stories and non-fiction books for children and young adults. Her books often show the world through a child's eyes. They are known for being funny and clear.
Ursula is the third child of Peter Coleman and Verna Susannah Coleman. She was named after a character in a famous book called The Rainbow. She went to several primary schools. Later, she studied at Sydney University and Macquarie University. She was also a member of the Library Council of New South Wales from 2016 to 2024.
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Writing Fun Stories
Ursula Dubosarsky has written more than 60 books. These include illustrated books and novels. Her books have been translated into 14 different languages. This means kids all over the world can read her stories!
She has also written three non-fiction books. These are called "Word Spy" books. They teach kids about language, grammar, and where words come from. Tohby Riddle drew the pictures for these books. The "Word Spy" books have won many awards. These include the New South Wales Premier's Literary Award and the Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Award. In some countries, The Word Spy is called The Word Snoop.
Her novel The Red Shoe is a very special book. It is listed in 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up. It is also one of 200 important Australian books in a program called Reading Australia.
In 2014, a big department store called David Jones used her story Reindeer's Christmas Surprise for their Christmas window displays. Another one of her books, Too Many Elephants In this House, was chosen for the National Simultaneous Storytime. This is an event where many kids read the same book at the same time. In 2018, the National Library of Australia published her book Midnight at the Library. This book celebrated the Library's 50th birthday. A study room at Marrickville Library was even named after her novel The Blue Cat in 2019.
Some of her books have been turned into plays for the theatre. These include The Red Shoe, The Terrible Plop, and Too Many Elephants in This House. A play called "The Giant's Garden" was also inspired by one of Ursula's stories.
Awards and Special Honors
Ursula Dubosarsky has won nine national literary prizes. She has won five New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards. This is more than any other writer in the history of these awards! She was also chosen as the Australian Children's Laureate for 2020–2021. This is a special role where she helps promote reading for children.
International Awards
- Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award Nominee: She has been nominated for this big international award many times, from 2013 to 2024.
- Hans Christian Andersen Award Nominee: She was also nominated for this important award.
- Luchs (Lynx) Award for Children's Literature: She won this German award for her book The Golden Day.
- International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) Honour Book List: The Golden Day was also recognized on this list.
- YALSA (American Library Association) Excellence in Non-fiction for Young Adults Nominee: Her book Word Snoop was nominated for this award.
- International Youth Library White Ravens: Several of her books, including The First Book of Samuel, The Red Shoe, and Midnight at the Library, were chosen for this special list of notable children's books.
Australian Awards
- 2020–2021 – Australian Children's Laureate: A very special role promoting children's literature.
- 2013 – Inducted into Speech Pathology Australia's Hall of Fame: For her great work in children's literature.
- 2011 – Children's Book of the Year Award: Eve Pownall Award for Information Books: For The Return of the Word Spy with Tohby Riddle.
- 2009 – New South Wales Premier's Literary Award, Patricia Wrightson Prize: For The Word Spy with Tohby Riddle.
- 2009 – Junior Judges Project, Children's Book Council of Australia, Winner: For The Word Spy with Tohby Riddle.
- 2009 – Kids Own Australian Literature Award (KOALA), Picture Book Winner: For Rex with David Mackintosh.
- 2007 – New South Wales Premier's Literary Award, Ethel Turner Prize: For The Red Shoe.
- 2006 – Queensland Premier's Literary Award, Young Adult Book Award: For The Red Shoe.
- 2006 – New South Wales Premier's Literary Award, Ethel Turner Prize: For Theodora's Gift.
- 2006 – Victorian Premier's Literary Award, Prize for Young Adult Literature: For Theodora's Gift.
- 2001 – Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature, Award for Children's Literature: For Abyssinia.
- 1995 – New South Wales Premier's Literary Award, Ethnic Affairs Commission Award: For The First Book of Samuel.
- 1994 – New South Wales Premier's Literary Award, Ethel Turner Prize: For The White Guinea Pig.
- 1994 – Victorian Premier's Literary Award, Alan Garner Prize: For The White Guinea Pig.
Plays Based on Her Books
Several of Ursula Dubosarsky's books have been made into plays.
- Too Many Elephants in This House: Performed at NIDA.
- The Red Shoe: Performed by the Jigsaw Theatre.
- Plop!: A musical version of The Terrible Plop. It has been performed in many cities, including Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Sydney, and even New York.
