Mahy, Margaret (1936–)

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Mahy, Margaret (1936–)

New Zealand children's writer. Born Mar 21, 1936, in Whakatane, New Zealand; dau. of Francis George (builder) and May (Penlington) Mahy (teacher); University of New Zealand, BA, 1958; children: Penelope Helen and Bridget Frances.

Graduated from University of Canterbury and attended New Zealand Library School, Wellington; became children's librarian at Christchurch City Libraries; wrote tv scripts, poems, plays, and picture books for children; works include The Procession (1961), A Lion in the Meadow (1969), The Wind Between the Stars (1976), The Changeover (1984), Memory (1987), Tick Tock tales (1993), The Other Side of Silence (1996), Alchemy (2002), and Dashing Dog (2002). Received Esther Glenn Medal from New Zealand Library Association for A Lion in the Meadow (1969), The First Margaret Mahy Story Book (1973) and The Haunting (1983); won Carnegie Medal for The Haunting (1982).