Wendy Meddour facts for kids

Wendy Meddour is a British author and artist who writes books for children. Her first children's novel, A Hen in the Wardrobe, came out in 2012. This book was nominated for the Branford Boase Award, which celebrates amazing first novels. It was also named one of the 'Best 50 Culturally Diverse Books since the 1950s' by The Guardian newspaper.

Wendy Meddour also wrote the very popular Wendy Quill book series. These books are published by Oxford University Press and have been sold in over ten different countries! The Wendy Quill series is based on Wendy's own childhood. What's really cool is that her daughter, Mina May, illustrated the books when she was only twelve years old. This made Mina May one of the youngest professional illustrators in the world, with four published books to her name. Mina May has even appeared on BBC Newsround and Woman's Hour to talk about her work.

Besides novels, Wendy Meddour writes rhyming picture books. Some of her recent picture books include How the Library (Not the Prince) Saved Rapunzel (2014) and The Glump and the Peeble (2016).

About Wendy Meddour's Life

Wendy Meddour was born in 1975. She grew up in a town by the sea in Wales called Aberystwyth. Later, she went to university to study English Literature. She earned advanced degrees, including a PhD. For eight years, Wendy taught English Literature at St Hilda's College at Oxford University. When she was 35, she decided to become a children's writer and illustrator.

A Hen in the Wardrobe Book

A Hen in the Wardrobe is a story about a young boy named Ramzi. He tries to figure out why his dad is sleepwalking. First, Ramzi finds his dad climbing trees at night. Then, his dad starts looking for a hen in Ramzi's wardrobe! It turns out his dad is sleepwalking because he misses his home country, Algeria.

So, Ramzi, his dad, and his mum travel to Dad's village in the desert of North Africa. There, Ramzi meets his Berber grandmother and cousins. He also faces a scary character called Sheherazad. Ramzi isn't sure if he has solved his dad's problem or what will happen when they go back home. This book won the John C. Laurence Award. This award is given to writing that helps improve understanding between different cultures.

The Wendy Quill Adventures

The Wendy Quill series tells the funny stories and adventures of a girl named Wendy Quill and her friends.

Wendy Meddour's Books

• How the Library (Not the Prince) Saved Rapunzel (London: Frances Lincoln, October 2014)
• Dottie Blanket and the Hilltop (Cardiff: Firefly Press, October 2014)
• Series: Wendy Quill (Oxford: Oxford University Press)
  • Book I: Wendy Quill is a Crocodile's Bottom (May, 2013)
  • Book 2: Wendy Quill tries to Grow a Pet (March, 2014)
  • Book 3: Wendy Quill is Full up of Wrong (July, 2014)
• Series: Cinnamon Grove (London: Frances Lincoln)
  • Book I: A Hen in the Wardrobe (February, 2012)
  • Book II: The Black Cat Detectives (August, 2012)