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Margaret Mahy

マーガレット・マヒー

Māgaretto Mahī

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1936-03-21 （Whakatāne）
Died
2012-07-23 （Christchurch） age 76
Nationality
New Zealand
Languages
English
Residence History
Whakatāne, New Zealand → Governors Bay, Canterbury, New Zealand → Christchurch, New Zealand

Career

Occupations
Writer, Librarian
Active Years
1969-2012
Affiliations
Petone Library, School Library Service, Christchurch, Canterbury Public Library
Nominations
Carnegie Medal Highly Commended (Memory, 1987)

Education

Auckland University College
Arts
Degree: B.A.
Period: 1952-1954
Year of Graduation: 1955
Country: New Zealand
Attended also at Canterbury University College
Canterbury University College
Arts
Degree: B.A.
Period: 1954-1955
Year of Graduation: 1955
Country: New Zealand
New Zealand Library School
Period: 1956
Year of Graduation: 1956
Country: New Zealand
Librarian training

Awards

Carnegie Medal
1982
Work: The Haunting
Category: Children's Book
Organization: CILIP
Result: Winner
Carnegie Medal
1984
Work: The Changeover
Category: Children's Book
Organization: CILIP
Result: Winner
Hans Christian Andersen Award
2006
Work: lasting contribution to children's literature
Category: Writing
Organization: International Board on Books for Young People
Result: Winner
Phoenix Award
2005
Work: The Catalogue of the Universe
Organization: Children's Literature Association
Result: Winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

A Lion in the Meadow

1969 Picture Book

A fantasy picture book where a child's imagination brings a lion to the meadow. He tells his father, but must resolve it himself.

imaginationfamily relationshipsadventure
Translations
  • Te Reo Māori, German, French, Spanish, etc.

The Haunting

1982 Children's Novel / Supernatural Fiction

A boy haunted by supernatural powers.

supernaturalgrowing upfamily

The Changeover

1984 Young Adult Novel / Supernatural Fiction

A girl who undergoes a changeover to witchcraft.

witchcraftgrowing upsupernatural

Bibliography

  • See Wikipedia List of works by Margaret Mahy

Translations of Works

  • Works translated into Te Reo Māori, German, French, Spanish, Dutch, Norwegian, Danish, Swedish, Finnish, Italian, Japanese, Catalan, Afrikaans, etc.

Style & Themes

Literary Style
rich in poetic imagerymagic and supernatural elementsrhymes and poems for children
Recurring Motifs
human relationshipsgrowing upsupernatural

Health

  • cancerous jaw tumour
    2012年4月-2012年7月
    Inoperable; moved to hospice and passed away

Legacy

Renowned for her lasting contribution to children's literature, winning the Hans Christian Andersen Medal. Authored over 100 picture books, 40 novels, 20 short story collections. Honored with Margaret Mahy Playground in Christchurch.

Archives

  • Christchurch City Libraries

In Popular Culture

  • Margaret Mahy Playground in Christchurch Central City
  • Bronze bust in Twelve Local Heroes sculpture

Quotes

  • In awarding the 2006 Hans Christian Andersen Medal for Writing to Margaret Mahy, the jury has recognized one of the world's most original re-inventors of language. Mahy's language is rich in poetic imagery, magic, and supernatural elements.
    Source: IBBY press release (2006)

Trivia

  • Known for her characteristic rainbow wig
  • At age 62, got a tattoo of a skull with a rose in its teeth on her right shoulder
  • In 2007, adopted a cavoodle puppy named Honey