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Edition 3 (1993) Winner
Joy Cowley
ジョイ・カウリー
Joy Cowley
Aliases:
Cassia Joy Summers
Pen Names:
Joy Cowley（Pen name）
Profile
- Gender
- Female
- Born
- 1936-08-07 （Levin, New Zealand）
- Nationality
- New Zealand
- Languages
- English
- Religion
- Catholic
- Residence History
- Levin, New Zealand → Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand → Wellington, New Zealand → Featherston, New Zealand
Career
- Occupations
- Writer, Children's author
- Active Years
- 1967-
- Affiliations
- Storylines Children's Literature Charitable Trust, Storylines Childrens Literature Foundation
- Memberships
- Patron of Storylines, Trustee of Storylines
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal | — | — | — | awarded |
| 1992 | Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) | — | children's literature | British Government | awarded |
| 1993 | Honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt) | — | — | Massey University | awarded |
| 1993 | Margaret Mahy Award | — | — | Storylines Children's Literature Charitable Trust | awarded |
| 2005 | Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (DCNZM) | — | children's literature | New Zealand Government | awarded |
| 2018 | Member of the Order of New Zealand (ONZ) | — | — | New Zealand Government | awarded |
| 2010 | Prime Minister's Award for Literary Achievement | — | Fiction | New Zealand Government | awarded |
New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal
1990
Result:
awarded
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
1992
Category:
children's literature
Organization:
British Government
Result:
awarded
Honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt)
1993
Organization:
Massey University
Result:
awarded
Margaret Mahy Award
1993
Organization:
Storylines Children's Literature Charitable Trust
Result:
awarded
Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (DCNZM)
2005
Category:
children's literature
Organization:
New Zealand Government
Result:
awarded
Member of the Order of New Zealand (ONZ)
2018
Organization:
New Zealand Government
Result:
awarded
Prime Minister's Award for Literary Achievement
2010
Category:
Fiction
Organization:
New Zealand Government
Result:
awarded
Awards & Nominations
Prime Minister's Awards for Literary Achievement
1 appearances
-
Edition 8 (2010) Winner
-
Edition 40 (2014) Winner
Works
Major Works
Nest in a Falling Tree
1967 NovelAdult novel dealing with marital infidelity, mental illness, and death within families.
Marital infidelityMental illnessDeath
Adaptations
- [Film] The Night Digger / Roald Dahl (1971)
The Silent One
1981 Children's fictionPopular children's book, adapted into a 1985 film.
LonelinessFriendship
Adaptations
- [Film] The Silent One (1985)
The Duck in the Gun
1969 Picture bookAnti-war picture book.
Anti-war
Snake and Lizard
2007 Children's fiction 102 pagesIllustrated children's book illustrated by Gavin Bishop.
FriendshipAdventure
Mrs. Wishy-Washy
Children's book seriesPopular series of children's books.
Everyday lifeHumor
Bibliography
- Nest in a Falling Tree (1967)
- Man of Straw (1972)
- The Silent One (1981)
- Bow Down Shadrach (1991)
- Snake and Lizard (2007)
- Dunger (2013)
Adaptations
- The Night Digger (1971 film)
- The Silent One (1985 film)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- Simple and engaging proseAccessible language for young readersRealistic family portrayals
- Recurring Motifs
- Family dynamicsAnti-war themesMental struggles
Legacy
Prominent New Zealand children's author known for fiction like Mrs. Wishy-Washy series. Recipient of top honors including ONZ and DCNZM. Joy Cowley Award named after her.
Trivia
- Best known for the Mrs. Wishy-Washy series
- Married three times, has four children and thirteen grandchildren
- Married a former Catholic priest
- Authored approximately 500 basal readers