New Zealand Writers
BECK, Jennifer
One of the great attractions of her books is that adults and children enjoy life together.
BECK, Jennifer (1939 - ) is a children's writer whose picture book The Bantam and the Soldier (1996), illustrated by Robyn Belton, won the Picture Book Category and the Book of the Year Award in the 1997 New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards.
A former teacher and psychologist, Beck is the author of more than 30 children's books, most of which are still in print. Titles include The Special Visitors (1987); The Choosing Day (1988); B.M.X. Billy (1989); Mrs Bold (1989); Joe's Father (1990); The Biggest Sandcastle in the World (1996); No Bullies at Our School (1996); and Wolf! Wolf! (1997).
Crash! The Search for the Stinson won an Honour Award in the Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards in 2000.
One reviewer writes "It is very significant that Jennifer Beck has written that 'the adults in my stories tend to contribute to the magic and fun of childhood...'. It is one of the great attractions of her books that adults and children enjoy life together."
New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards Judges described The Bantam and the Soldier, in which a World War I soldier finds and keeps a bantam hen, as "a touching and heartfelt idea portrayed with startling authenticity."
Recent titles include Time to Get Up (2000) , The Old School Bus (2000), Welcome, and The Christmas Caravan.
(KC.)
Updated Information
The Christmas Caravan (2002) was shortlisted for the New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards 2003.
John Britten: The boy who did do better (Scholastic, 2004). A Ducati motorcycle wins the Battle of the Twins race but the second placing is a surprise - an almost unknown motorcycle called a Britten. Aimed at 6-14 year olds, this book is an inspirational story for students who are struggling at school.
John Britten: The boy who did do better was a finalist in the Non Fiction Category of the New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults 2005. It was also a finalist for The Elsie Locke Award at the LIANZA Children's Book Awards 2005.
Her book, Nobody's Dog (2005), illustrated by Lindy Fisher, was nominated in the Picture Book category of the New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults 2005 and won the Children's Choice Award, voted for by more than 30,000 children throughout New Zealand.
Working again with Lindy Fisher, Beck wrote A Present from the Past, which won an Honour Award in the Picture Book Categoryof the 2007 New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults.
Stefania's Dancing Slippers (Scholastic, 2007) is the third collaboration between Beck and Fisher. It is a story about the Polish orphans that reached New Zealand's shores in the spring of 1944.
Jennifer Beck is available to talk to primary school students. She is prepared to discuss the writing process, where to look for ideas, and how to improve stories among other things. Jennifer would prefer to speak to groups of 25–50 students. She is prepared to travel out of town for Writers in Schools visits.
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