Maria Gill

ABOUT

In Brief

Maria Gill writes books for children and adults that draw on her interest in birds and conservation. Her Rangitoto: Te toka tu moana: The rock standing in the ocean was a Finalist in the non-fiction category, 2010 New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards. Her Bird’s-eye View: through the Eyes of New Zealand Birds was shortlisted for the Elsie Locke Award and was selected as a top ten non-fiction Notable Book for 2007 by the Storylines New Zealand Children’s Literature Foundation. Her other titles for children include: Operation Nest Egg, Dogs on the Job, Rangitoto and Save our Seas - selected in 2010 as a top ten non-fiction Notable Book. Maria Gill is available for writer visits as part of the Book Council's Writers in Schools programme. For more information about Maria go to www.mariagill.co.nz.

In Detail

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Maria Gill (born in 1961) writes children's books and educational material full-time on her lifestyle block in Matakana. She has worked as a primary

teacher at intermediate and primary level.  In 2010 she completed a Graduate Diploma in Journalism studies. Gill also coordinates Kiwi Write4Kidz a

nation-wide writers group for adults who write children's books - www.kiwiwrite4kidz.co.nz

Save Our Seas: Continuing the Mission of Sir Peter Blake (New Holland, 2009), illustrated by Vivienne Lingard, is inspired by the environmental work achieved by the legendary sailor and explorer Sir Peter Blake, and told in the voice of Skipper L.B. Tross. It reveals exactly what's going on in the oceans around us and what we can do to help. The work was listed as a 2010 Storylines Notable Non-Fiction Book.

Eco-Rangers Save the Planet (New Holland, 2009), illustrated by Vivienne Lingard is a non-fiction chapter book for 10-14 year old readers.  Readers are challenged to participate in 12 missions: Act Local - save energy and water, minimise waste, care for our wildlife, have a healthy home school and community; Think Global - understand climate change and global problems, live sustainably and know that children make a difference; and Be The Change - make practical projects you can use at home and school. A book written to encourage teens to think every small bit helps and their say is important.

In, Dogs on the Job (Puffin, 2008), Gill interviews dog handlers and observes dogs on the job in this engaging and fun-filled non-fiction book for children. Meet an acting dog going through the moves in an advertisement. See a mobility dog picking up the keys for his handler in a wheelchair. Find the Search and Rescue dog that can trail scents 12 hours old. Marvel at the therapy dog that triggers the memory of a rest home elderly lady who cannot remember her own daughter.

Operation Nest Egg: Saving New Zealand's Kiwi (2007: Reed Publishing) examines the important work Operation Nest Egg plays in preserving New Zealand’s national icon, and explains how Operation Nest Egg came into being and the roles different institutions play in the Operation Nest Egg programme. The book contains information about the different species of kiwi, kiwi centres, island and mainland crèches, predators and pests of kiwi and what methodologies are being used to lessen or eradicate those threats. It also includes sites where you can see kiwi and how children can be involved in the programme.

Bird’s-eye View: Through the Eyes of New Zealand Birds (Penguin, 2006) reveals how thirteen New Zealand birds see their natural habitat. It uses photographs and latest avian-vision research and offers children a new perspective on the way birds live. Bird’s-eye View was shortlisted for the Elsie Locke award by LIANZA and selected as one of the top ten non-fiction Notable Books for 2007 by the New Zealand Children’s Literature Foundation (Storylines).

Maria Gill uses her Primary school teacher background to also write for the educational market:  Volcanoes, Under Our Feet, Amazing Water were published by South Pacific Press in 2009 and will be distributed throughout the United States; seven educational books were published by Learning Media (2009) for the American market, and two early readers for Red Rocket Publishing (2007) called Let's Make Pancakes and Clever Camouflage. Gill’s first book Homework Powerpack (Zenith, 2005) is a handbook for parents, giving an overview of the education system in all curriculum areas at the Primary level.

Coming in 2011 – a creative non-fiction book on the kokako and a non-fiction hardback book on 50 Famous New Zealanders for children.