Eek! I'm a little behind ... since 'Kate Sheppard: Leading the way for Women' I've had these books published:
This book shows the top five most endangered birds, insects, fish, mammals, reptiles, etc
Inside picture 'On the Brink' by Terry Fitzgibbon
'Ice Breaker!' came out in February 2020
Inside illustrations by Alistair Hughes
This year I'm doing a Masters in Creative Writing with AUT. I'm working on a creative nonfiction novel. James George has been my tutor and he's been great! I'm looking forward to reading the other 10 participants' stories when they're finished. Their stories range from poetry, to short stories, to junior fiction and young adult novels, and a memoir.
Next year I have two books coming out with Scholastic so watch this space ... One of them was supposed to come out in August but because of the pandemic, we've delayed it until February 2021. It's called 'New Zealand Disasters and How we Respond' with Marco Ivancic's stunning illustrations. I'll reveal a cover soon.
The second book comes out later. I finished writing it in February and currently chasing up photographs. All I'll tell you at this stage is that it has to do with animals and we've got a totally different style of artwork in the book. But I'll keep you in suspense a little while longer for this one.
Following on from the success of 'Eruption! Discovering New Zealand Volcanoes' - still in print after three reprints - Maria Gill and New Holland Publishers have just released 'Earthquakes! Shaking New Zealand'.
'Earthquakes: Shaking New Zealand' helps young readers 8-12 years old learn what to do in an earthquake, understand why New Zealand has so many, and find out what happened in New Zealand's eight biggest earthquakes. Written and designed to capture its young audience, it has many photographs, a Māori God that pops up in text boxes, interactive symbols, a tongue-in-cheek multi-choice questionnaire, a timeline that runs throughout the book, and lots more. Available in shops the first week in June 2018. See an interview with Maria here. More information on its web page here. ISBN: 9781869664862 RRP $24.99
The winning author/illustrator duo that claimed the supreme
children’s book award in 2016 – the Margaret Mahy Book of the Year prize – has
again teamed up with publisher Scholastic New Zealand and designer Luke Kelly to
produce a follow-up to the award-winning Anzac
Heroes. This time they’ve written and illustrated a book about the animals
that went to war.
Well-known children’s author Maria Gill and
talented illustrator Marco Ivančić have proven they can do it again. Publishing Manager Lynette Evans says that
Scholastic New Zealand couldn’t be happier with the response to the book from
those who have already seen it. “Maria and Marco are a talented and unstoppable
match. Maria’s meticulously researched text combines perfectly with the energy
in Marco’s highly realistic illustrations to bring history to life in full
colour and absorbing detail. We are privileged to partner with them in creating
these timeless and information-loaded books for children.”
Anzac
Animals includes the heartwarming stories of the
mascots and working animals that helped the Anzacs during World War I and World
War II. “There’s a mixture of the sad, funny, and awe-inspiring stories about
the animals that went to war,” says Gill. “The tales show how much the animals
meant to the Anzacs, and the lengths they would go to save their charges. I
picked a wide range of animals, from kangaroos, cats, monkeys, a tortoise and a
chicken, to dogs, horses, mules, donkeys, camels and pigeons. Some were found
in the battle zones, others purchased from locals, and quite a few brought from
home. They all made a difference to the men’s lives and helped them endure the
war.” Girls and boys will enjoy reading the captivating stories, as well as
poring over the stunning illustrations, photographs and graphics.
With 2018 being the final 100-year
commemorations for World War I, the book is a compassionate note to end the
anniversary. Gill is touring with Storylines to Christchurch schools from 12-16
March, with Duffy Books to Rotorua schools from 19-23 March, and giving
workshops to local schools at the National Army Museum and then onto Napier
Schools in the final week of March, including a book launch at Wardini’s
Bookshop in Napier at 4pm on Wednesday 28 March.
