Dawn McMillan

ABOUT

In Brief

Dawn McMillan is a writer of fiction and non-fiction for children. Many of her books have a focus on animals and evoke New Zealand's natural environment. McMillan’s most successful book, Why do dogs sniff bottoms?, illustrated by Ross Kinnaird, won the Children's Choice Award at the 2003 New Zealand Post Book Awards, and was awarded New Zealand Booksellers Gold in 2005. She has published over 15 picture books and over 140 educational readers, which are used in schools in New Zealand, Australia, the United States and Canada. 

In Detail

Dawn McMillan (born in 1943) is a writer of fiction and non-fiction for children. She has worked as a public relations officer, a community arts coordinator, and a teacher. Many of her books have a focus on animals and evoke New Zealand's natural environment.

McMillan’s first book for children, Sea Secrets, illustrated by Julia Crouth (Reed, 1998), tells the story of a girl’s relationship with her grandmother which is changed forever when the girl’s family move to Australia. ‘This is a delightful and moving story about shared lives that can be disrupted when people move away...’ writes Amanda McAucliffe in the Evening Standard. ‘The message that love and understanding are more important than proximity is beautifully told.’

Stranded (Reed, 1999) is a non-fiction account of a whale stranding, illustrated with photographs by Ingrid Visser. Heather Verstappen writes in the Nelson Mail: ‘With the help of clear, colourful photographs and down-to-earth text, this book explains why whales behave this way and offers advice on how best to assist.’

McMillan’s most successful book is Why Do Dogs Sniff Bottoms?, illustrated by Ross Kinnaird (Reed, 2002). It was her first work written in verse. Why Do Dogs Sniff Bottoms? won the Children's Choice Award at the 2003 New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults, and was awarded New Zealand Booksellers Gold in 2005.

A Fishing Story, illustrated by Julia Crouth, was pubilshed by Reed in 2002. It is a story about shared wisdom and a boy’s courage. This story has been translated into Maori: He Korero Hi Ika. Ride a White Horse was also illustrated by Julia Crouth ( RSVP, 2001). It tells the story of a boy’s journey on a wild white horse of the sea, across the water to the shadow of an unknown and mysterious land.

Summer Blaze, illustrated by Dave Gunson, was published by Reed in 2003. This story explains how the pohutukawa, New Zealand's Christmas tree, came to have its beautiful red flowers.

Doggy Doo on my Shoe was also illustrated by Ross Kinnaird (Reed, 2004). Ah, that old problem that most of us know about!

Wood for the Winter, illustrated by Denise Durkin, was published by Reed in 2004. Christopher loves helping his granddad and the two of them share a special bond. But when grandad dies Christopher has to look deep within himself to find a way to keep his memories alive. Coming Home, illustrated by Dave Gunson, was pubilished by Reed in the same year. This is the story of Dawn’s house. For many years the house and garden had been the home for creatures like Spider, Rat, Silverfish, and Fantail. But when the builders arrived everything changed. Dawn’s need to re-home the creatures is part of the story.

Where do Flies go in Winter?, illustrated by Ross Kinnaird, was published by Penguin in 2005. Believe it or not, flies go on holiday! Seagull Sid and the Naughty Things his Seagulls did!, also illustrated by Ross Kinnaird was published in the same year by Reed. Sid has decided its time for seagulls to reclaim the beaches so, together with his feathered friends, he hatches a cunning plan to scare off the messy human visitors.

Weaving Together, illustrated by Vivienne Lingard, was also pubilshed by Reed in 2005. It tells the story of how Jamie and her grandmother make a woven memory of all the wonderful and sad things that have happened in their lives.

Pancake Attack, illustrated by Dave Gunson, was published by Scholastic in  2006. Jacko has made pancakes most of his life but after he enters the Best Pancake Cook competition, his life will never be the same.

Woolly Wally, illustrated by Ross Kinnaird, was published in the same year by Reed. McMillan ‘met’ Woolly Wally, a Merino Ram with attitude, while she was travelling in the South Island. Why Cats Rule the World, and Dogs are Still Slaves, illustrated by Roger Twinname, was also published by Reed in 2006. The mystery is solved – now we know why cats always have their tails in the air, with no shame in showing ‘what’s under there’.

Turkey’s in the Sleigh Tonight, illustrated by Raymond McGrath (Reed, 2007), is a Christmas story. The peace of Christmas Eve has descended on Old MacDonald’s farm, but as Santa appears in the night sky, disaster strikes. In the chaos that follows there are unexpected gifts for everyone – and a lucky escape for Turkey.

Glasseye Creek, illustrated by Raymond McGrath, was published by Picture Puffin in 2008. Secrets: Three Stories from Dawn McMillan was published by Puffin in 2009. Dawn's beautiful prose is accompanied by stunning illustrations from three different artists.

Big Bouncer (Puffin, 2009) is another of her works illustrated by Ross Kinnaird.

McMillan has published 16 picture books and over 140 educational readers. The readers are used in schools in New Zealand, Australia, the United States and Canada. McMillan lives along the rocky shore of the Thames Coast.

Dawn McMillian Writing CV [123KB]