Werry, Philippa
IN BRIEF
Philippa Werry is a librarian and children’s writer whose non-fiction, poetry, stories and plays have been widely published, and also broadcast on National Radio. Werry’s work has appeared in various anthologies and she has written over 100 pieces for the School Journal and other educational publishers. Her work was shortlisted for the 2004 Australian Bilby Awards — the annual Children's Choice awards for Queensland. In 2006 she was the winner of the Jack Lasenby Award.
ProfilePlace of residence: Wellington, New Zealand |
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Werry, Philippa (1958- ) is a librarian and children’s writer whose non-fiction, poetry, stories and plays have been widely published, and also broadcast on National Radio.
Werry’s work has appeared in the anthologies The Puffin NZ Story Book (Puffin, 1996), Funny Stories for 6 Year Olds (Macmillan, 1999), Another 100 Poems for New Zealand Children (Random House, 2001), Poetry Pudding (Reed, 2007) and Showtime! (Random House, 2008). She has written over one hundred pieces for the School Journal and Connected, as well as writing plays and stories for Gilt Edge Publishing, South Pacific Press, Pearson Education (Australia) and Radio New Zealand.
Two books, Sun Bears Are Special and Mmm, Popcorn were published as part of the ‘Ready to Read’ series. My Little Sister and We Get Squished were both included in ‘Learning Media First Stories’. Werry has also written books in the 'Orbit Additions', 'Orbit Collections', 'Applications and choices' and 'New Heights' series' for Learning Media.
The Lost Watch by Philippa Werry with illustrations by Alice Bell (Scholastic, 2003) is described by Margie Thomson in the Weekend Herald as a ‘short, race-through story that will gladden the hearts of small boys’. It was also praised by Raymond Huber in New Zealand New Books: 'Werry’s description of family life has humour and is realistic…the slightly crazed, wide-eyed characters will (hopefully) attract the TV generation.' It was shortlisted in Australia for the 2004 Bilby Awards, the annual Children's Choice awards for the state of Queensland
Werry’s second Scholastic book, Wonderful Wheels Day, also with illustrations by Alice Bell, was published in 2004.
Werry was the winner of the 2006 Jack Lasenby Award for her story 'Stopping for Charlie'.
The Great Chocolate Cake Bake-Off (Scholastic, 2007) is a story for 8-12 year olds about families, friendship and chocolate cake. The Children’s Bookshop newsletter describes it as 'A funny, fast-moving and delectable read for ages 10 plus about overcoming your fears.' The work was listed as a 2008 Storylines Notable Junior Fiction Book.
Enemy at the gate (Scholastic, 2008) is a historical novel for 10-14 year olds, set in Wellington and based around the polio epidemic of 1936-37. 'This is an excellent record of New Zealand society when a telephone and car were not part of the working class households and people relied on neighbours and extended family to cope with any crisis.' Magpies, Vol 23, Issue 2, May 2008, p.7 (NZ section) Enemy at the Gate was nominated in the Junior Fiction section of the 2009 New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards.
Philippa Werry lives in Wellington and participates in the Book Council Writers in Schools Programme.
writers in schools information
Philippa Werry is available morning or afternoon to visit primary, intermediate and junior high school students around the Wellington area as part of the Writers in Schools programme. She is prepared to discuss poetry, plays, fiction and non-fiction and to answer any questions about her own work and the writing process. She is happy to talk to large or small groups of students, although two classes at a time is ideal. She is prepared to run workshops for small groups.
KAPAI: Kids’ Authors’ Pictures and Information
General
Where do you live?
In Wellington in a house on a hill overlooking the city and harbour.
What books do you read?
Lots, mostly fiction, some poetry and I like good crime stories too. I often read the books my children are reading and I also read a lot to them.
Who is your favourite author?
My all-time absolute favourite author is Jane Austen. I’ve been to the house where she used to live and seen the table she used to write at. And all my children have names from Jane Austen characters.
How do you think up your ideas?
The first line or phrase of a poem often just comes to me out of the blue. I don’t know where it comes from. Ideas for plays often come from looking at different settings (like a supermarket, a bus-stop, a classroom) and thinking about what might happen there.
What is the best thing about being an author?
Getting excited about new ideas. Creating something that nobody except you could ever have created. Seeing other people enjoying what youve written.
Some Questions from Primary School Students
What sort of pets do you have?
A beautiful tabby cat called Tilda.
What is your favourite colour/food/movie/game?
Colour: purple
Movie: definitely Pride and Prejudice, the 1995 BBC adaptation
Game: we play lots of games at home. Rummikub, Scrabble, 5-alive, Uno, Mancala. Rat-a-tat Cat, Cathedral.
What is the most fun thing about being an author?
Being able to create things out of nothing.
Where do you go for your holidays?
Every summer we have a big family holiday at Ohope Beach in the Bay of Plenty. But we also explore other parts of New Zealand: the Catlins, the West
Coast, East Coast, Northland…
What was the naughtiest thing you ever did at school?
I was a pretty good child at school. I remember once being caught climbing a tree that was out of bounds. The teacher was as surprised as I was that I was being told off!
Some Questions from Secondary School Students
How did you get started?
I’ve always written a little bit: poems, diaries, letters. When my first child was a baby and I was at home I started writing for the School Journal.
Who inspired you when you were getting started?
The School Journal editors were wonderful, so encouraging. Some of the first stuff I sent them was awful but they were always so kind and helpful. Even their rejection letters were kind!
What advice would you give an aspiring young writer?
Read a lot, write a lot and don’t be discouraged if what comes out on paper isn’t always what was in your head. Keep working at it!
Is it difficult to make a living writing in New Zealand?
Yes, I’m lucky I don’t have to rely on it for an income. But fortunately there are lots of rewards apart from monetary ones.
What were you like as a teenager?
Very very quiet. We moved around a lot and I had to keep on making friends again from scratch. I read a lot and I liked schoolwork so I worked hard in school (although I would never say anything in class!)
Media links and clips
- This author is available for school visits as part of the Book Council's Writers in Schools programme
- Philippa Werry's website
- Scholastic NZ biography of Philippa Werry
- Review of The Great Chocolate Cake Bake-off
- Review of Enemy at the Gate
- Christchurch City Library interview with Philippa Werry
