Melanie Drewery - Author/Illustrator

ABOUT

In Brief

Melanie Drewery is an author, illustrator and artist who writes primarily for children. Koro's Medicine was a finalist in the Picture Book Category of the 2005 New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children & Young Adults, and the Maori translation of this title, by Kararaina Uatuku, won the 2005 Te Kura Pounamu Award. Drewery won the Picture Book section of the 2008 New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults for her book Tahi: One Lucky Kiwi.

In Detail

Melanie Drewery (born in 1970) lives in Ruby Bay, Nelson, where she works as a writer, potter, and painter. She also runs a small farm with horses, sheep, and lots of other pets, as well as raising her two girls.

Melanie had her first book, “Nanny Mihi and The Rainbow”, accepted by Reed Publishing in 2000. She now has numerous titles to her name, with more on the way. Melanie’s book, “Tahi One Lucky Kiwi” won the Picture Book Section of the NZ Post Children’s Book Awards in 2008. “Koro’s Medicine” and “The Mad Tadpole Adventure” were also finalists. Her titles are regularly listed in the Storylines notable book list, and Te Reo translations of Melanie’s books have been finalists in the LIANZA Te Kura Pounamu Book Awards, with “Nga Rongoa a Koro” winning in 2005.

Many of Melanie’s books have had a strong Maori feel, with the inclusion of Te Reo, and Tikanga Maori. “I think that it’s really important to have books which reflect our culture, and what it is to grow up in New Zealand. The books are designed to introduce Maori language in a non- threatening way, and also aspects of maori culture. I want the language to flow within the story, not feel stilted or put on. I really like the idea of grandparents and relatives passing on their knowledge and beliefs through play and experiences with their tamariki, as well as through stories, which is how a lot of my books work.” Melanie is of Maori descent (Ngati Mahanga) but like many other New Zealanders she has ancestors from many cultures. Melanie loves to write stories which celebrate kids being kids, and tries to avoid lecturing or unrealistic characters.