Nan Chauncy

Home

CBCA Members

Book of the Year

Book Week

Merchandise

Authors & Illustrators

For Writers & Illustrators

For Readers

Nan Chauncy Winner 2008

The 2008 Nan Chauncy Award for an outstanding contribution to children’s literature in Australia is awarded to Margaret Wild.

Since 1984 she has had 68 titles published, the majority being picture books.

Her work appeals to children, young adults and adults. Few writers have tackled such a wide range of topics and themes that enhance a child’s understanding of self, others and the world.

Margaret’s picture books have both high literary quality and child appeal. Her signature works are simultaneously tough and tender as well as moving and memorable. They explore complex ideas and communicate on many levels.

Margaret also excels in gentle, light-hearted and uplifting stories which exemplify her ability to engage young readers through themes of love, courage and persistence. She encourages children to play with rich and colourful language.

Understanding the collaborative art of words and pictures is one of the great strengths of Margaret’s work. She clearly knows which parts of her stories are best left to the visual narrator.

Margaret’s awards are testament to the quality of her work. She won the CBCA Picture Book of the Year three times. She earned five Honour Book awards and nine titles were shortlisted. In addition, she has received state Premiers’ Awards and numerous children’s choice awards. Margaret’s books have been published in 17 languages and she has received several international awards.

There is a timeless quality to Margaret’s work, which will affect readers for years to come. In her own words, “I don’t want to write safe, bland books. I want to provoke a reaction, and I want to make people laugh and cry”. Margaret Wild is a worthy recipient of the Nan Chauncy Award.