Diana Noonan

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Diana Noonan (born 7 January 1960) is a New Zealand children's author. [1] In 2022 she was awarded the Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal for her outstanding contributions to New Zealand literature for young people. [2] [3]

Contents

Biography

Noonan was born in Dunedin and attended Waihola Primary School and Tokomairiro High School. [4] She completed a degree in English at the University of Otago in 1980. [5] She completed a teaching diploma the following year and began her career as a teacher. [6] She taught in secondary schools for four years then became a full-time writer. [5] Noonan was Writer in Residence at the Dunedin College of Education in 1993, and was the editor of the New Zealand School Journal for eight years.

Following the 2011 Christchurch earthquake Noonan wrote a children's picture book, Quaky Cat, about a cat's experience of the earthquakes. She donated all royalties to the Christchurch earthquake appeal, raising over $150,000. She and the book's illustrator Gavin Bishop received the North West Christchurch Award 2012 in appreciation of her donation. [3] [7]

Awards and recognition

YearAwardResultWorkNotes
2022Storylines Margaret Mahy MedalWinner [3]
2014LIANZA Russell Clark AwardFinalistThe Teddy Bear's Promise [8]
2011LIANZA Russell Clark AwardFinalistQuaky Cat [8]
2011LIANZA Elsie Locke Non-Fiction AwardFinalistThe Tui New Zealand Kids' Garden [9]
2003LIANZA Russell Clark AwardFinalistAuntie Rosie and the Rabbit [8]
2003LIANZA Russell Clark AwardFinalistThe Best-Dressed Bear [8]
2003New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults – Picture Book AwardFinalistAuntie Rosie and the Rabbit [10]
1998LIANZA Elsie Locke Non-Fiction AwardCo-winnerThe Know, Sow and Grow Kids' Book of Plants [11]
1997New Zealand Library and Information Association Award for Non-fictionWinnerI Spy Wildlife [5]
1997New Zealand Library and Information Association Award for Non-fictionFinalistThe Rocky Shore [11]
1997New Zealand Library and Information Association Award for Non-fictionFinalistThe Garden [9]
1996Australian Wilderness Society Environment Award for Children's LiteratureFinalistHercules [3]
1995Aim Children's Book Award for Best Picture BookWinnerThe Best Loved Bear [5]
1994Aim Children's Book Award for Best Junior FictionWinnerA Dolphin in the Bay [5]
1994New Zealand Library Association Esther Glen AwardFinalistA Dolphin in the Bay [12]
1991New Zealand Library Association Esther Glen AwardFinalistThe Silent People [12]

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References

  1. ↑ "Interview with Diana Noonan". my.christchurchcitylibraries.com. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  2. ↑ "Diana Noonan". Potton & Burton.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Diana Noonan wins Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal 2022 | New Zealand Society of Authors (PEN NZ Inc) Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa" . Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  4. ↑ "This month we've been talking to Diana Noonan" (PDF). Scholastic New Zealand. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "| Read NZ". www.read-nz.org. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  6. ↑ "All Profiles - Storylines Children's Literature Charitable Trust". 2021-06-14. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  7. ↑ Davison, Richard (2022-02-17). "Children's writer honoured with medal". Otago Daily Times Online News. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "LIANZA Russell Clark Award". my.christchurchcitylibraries.com. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  9. 1 2 "LIANZA Elsie Locke Non-Fiction Award". my.christchurchcitylibraries.com. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  10. ↑ "New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults – Picture Book Award". my.christchurchcitylibraries.com. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  11. 1 2 "New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults – Elsie Locke Award for Non-Fiction". my.christchurchcitylibraries.com. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  12. 1 2 "LIANZA Esther Glen Junior Fiction Award". my.christchurchcitylibraries.com. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
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