Joy Watson
Joy Watson (born 21 February 1938)[5] is a New Zealand author of children's books, many of which have been published by Scholastic Corporation. Waston based many of her tales on her now-late husband Kevin.[6] In addition to being an author, Watson wrote lyrics to school musicals and songs. She is the mother of Mary-anne Scott.[7]
Joy Watson | |
---|---|
Born | 21 February 1938 |
Occupation | Author, school dental nurse |
Language | English |
Nationality | New Zealander |
Education | St Mary's College, Wellington[1] |
Period | 1980s-present |
Genre | Children's literature |
Notable works | Grandpa's Slippers[2] |
Notable awards | Gaelyn Gordon Award [3] New Zealand Post Award |
Relatives | Two great grandchildren[4] |
Early life
Watson was born in Gisborne on 21 February 1938[5] to a farming family who was educated by correspondence although she later attended school at Waipukurau and St Mary's College, Wellington.[1] Although her father left school at a young age, both of her parents were literate.[5] After finishing school, she trained and worked as a dental nurse until she married at age twenty.[1]
Later years
Watson's book "Grandpa's Slippers" became well-known[8] and won a Gaelyn Gordon award in 1999.[3] In 2015, "Grandpa's Slippers" was a fiction nomination for the Great Kiwi Classic[9] and was also adapted into a stage show[10] The book was also included in the Devonport-Takapuna Local Grants for 2017/2018.[11] In 2012, Watson dedicated preschool story time to the community of Hastings for New Zealand Book Month.[12]
Works
- Pets (1988)
- Mouse In The House (1989)
- Grandpa's Slippers (1989)
- Grandpa's Cardigan (1993)
- No Porridge, Please (1994)
- Just In Case (1996)
- A Wet Day At School (1996)
- Foster Dog (1999)
- Highway Robbery (2000)
- The Birthday Flood (2001)
- Grandpa's Shorts (2001) - Children's Choice Award at the 2002 New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults
- Grandpa's Shed (2003)
- Zita the Zebra (2006)
- Grandpa's Cat (2006)
- Worms Squirm...and Other Poems (2007)[13]
References
- "JOY WATSON". storylines.org.nz. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
- Spell binders: How Juliette MacIver, Toby Morris, Mary-anne Scott and Lisala Halapua write their acclaimed children's books
- Gaelyn Gordon: Tripswitch
- Joy Watson reads Grandpa's Slippers
- "Interview with Joy Watson". christchurchcitylibraries.com. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
- The private inspiration behind this iconic New Zealand kid's book
- "Mary-anne Scott".
- "Spell binders: How Juliette MacIver, Toby Morris, Mary-anne Scott and Lisala Halapua write their acclaimed children's books".
- "The Great Kiwi Classic: On Sacred Cows and Literary Canons".
- Grandma McGarvey with Grandpa's Slippers
- "2017/2018 Devonport-Takapuna Local Grants, Round Two" (PDF).
- "New Zealand Book Month 2012 – get ready to turn the page!".
- Watson, Joy - bookcouncil