Joy Watson

Joy Watson (born 21 February 1938)[5] is an 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 (1938-02-21) 21 February 1938
OccupationAuthor, school dental nurse
LanguageEnglish
NationalityNew Zealander
EducationSt Mary's College, Wellington[1]
Period1980s-present
GenreChildren's literature
Notable worksGrandpa's Slippers[2]
Notable awardsGaelyn Gordon Award [3]
New Zealand Post Award
RelativesTwo 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
  1. "JOY WATSON". storylines.org.nz. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  2. Spell binders: How Juliette MacIver, Toby Morris, Mary-anne Scott and Lisala Halapua write their acclaimed children's books
  3. Gaelyn Gordon: Tripswitch
  4. Joy Watson reads Grandpa's Slippers
  5. "Interview with Joy Watson". christchurchcitylibraries.com. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  6. The private inspiration behind this iconic New Zealand kid's book
  7. "Mary-anne Scott".
  8. "Spell binders: How Juliette MacIver, Toby Morris, Mary-anne Scott and Lisala Halapua write their acclaimed children's books".
  9. "The Great Kiwi Classic: On Sacred Cows and Literary Canons".
  10. Grandma McGarvey with Grandpa's Slippers
  11. "2017/2018 Devonport-Takapuna Local Grants, Round Two" (PDF).
  12. "New Zealand Book Month 2012 – get ready to turn the page!".
  13. Watson, Joy - bookcouncil
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