Children’s book writers and illustrators bring gifts to town

STORYLINES: Flight of the Fantail author Steph Matuku is one of four writers and illustrators of children’s books who are in Gisborne this week as part of the Storylines National Festival Story tour. Picture supplied

Four touring writers and illustrators will hold a free family event in Gisborne on Thursday.

They will talk about where they get their ideas from and how they create their work.

Flight of the Fantail author Steph Matuku, award-winning illustrator and performer Bruce Potter, Sticking With Pigs author Mary-anne Scott and chief librarian/author Chris Szekely will visit Gisborne as part of the Storylines National Festival Story tour.

The tour takes the writers and illustrators to schools and libraries in centres around the region including Tolaga Bay, Tokomaru Bay, Ruatoria and several in Gisborne.

The aim of the tour is to connect New Zealand’s writers, poets and storytellers with readers and audiences, and to encourage young New Zealanders to engage with books and reading.

An international award-winning illustrator of more than 125 books, Bruce Potter has illustrated for New Zealand authors such as Joy Cowley and Witi Ihimaera.

To encourage children to develop their imaginations through the art of doodling, he tours a one-man show to schools around New Zealand.

Writer, musician and teacher Mary-anne Scott’s children’s books include Snakes and Ladders, Coming Home to Roost, and Sticking with Pigs.

Alexander Turnbull Library chief librarian Chris Szekely’s first picture book Rahui won multiple awards, including the 2012 New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards Best Children’s Picture Book. He has also produced Swim: The Story of Hinemoa and Tutanekai, Tahoe: He pakiwaitara mo Hinemoa raua ko Tutanekai, and Rona.

Taranaki author Steph Matuku’s first children’s play A Story of Rona won a Playmarket award and has been performed by schools throughout New Zealand.

Her children’s short stories and plays have appeared in The School Journal and the Annual. She is also a ghostwriter for many companies around New Zealand, creating business articles and marketing blogs.

After winning a place on the Maori Literature Trust’s writing incubator programme, she produced her debut young adult novel Flight of the Fantail.

The four writers and illustrators will be at HB Williams Memorial Library at 6pm on Thursday.