Jennifer Beck (writer) explained

Jennifer Beck
Birth Date:9 December 1939
Birth Place:Auckland, New Zealand
Occupation:Writer

Jennifer Lillian Beck (born 9 December 1939) is a New Zealand writer of over 50 children’s books. Her work, often focusing on themes of history, peace and war, has won numerous prizes and awards. She lives in Auckland, New Zealand.

Biography

Beck was born on 9 December 1939 in Auckland, New Zealand.[1] She grew up in a large family where the children created their own entertainment by making up plays, games and word games; library books, drawing and painting also formed an important part of her childhood.[2] She was educated at Waipu District High School, Auckland Teachers’ College and the University of Auckland, graduating with an MA (Hons) DipClinPsych.[3] She worked as a teacher and psychologist before becoming a full-time writer in 2003 and has written more than 50 books for trade and educational publishers.[4]

Several of her books, such as The Bantam and the Soldier, Stefania's Dancing Slippers,[5] Remember that November,[6] Torty and the Soldier[7] and The Anzac Violin,[8] deal with topics of history and war. Remember that November was chosen to represent New Zealand at the IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People) Nami Island Book Festival in South Korea in 2007.[9]

In 2023 she published her memoir Bits of String Too Short to Use.[10]

Awards and residencies 

Beck’s work has garnered numerous prizes and awards. Several of her books have been shortlisted for book awards or named as Storylines Notable Books.[11] The Bantam and The Soldier, written by Beck and illustrated by Robyn Belton, and described as a "remarkable children’s (anti-)war story",[12] was New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards 1997 Picture Book Winner and Book of the Year.[13]

In 2006, she won the Children's Choice Award, voted for by thousands of children across New Zealand, with Nobody's Dog, illustrated by Lindy Fisher.[14]

In 2015, Beck and Robyn Belton shared a joint residency as University of Otago College of Education / Creative New Zealand Children’s Writer in Residence.[15] During this time, they worked on The Anzac Violin, based on the story of Alexander Aitken and the Aitken Violin,[16] now on display at Otago Boys' High School.[17]

In the 2015 Queen's Birthday Honours, Beck was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to children's literature.[18]

Bibliography 

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Interview with Jennifer Beck. 2002. Christchurch City Libraries Nga Kete Wananga-o-Otautahi. 13 November 2018.
  2. Beck . Jennifer . Summer 2018 . Years of Pleasure . New Zealand Author . 315 . 34–36.
  3. Web site: Jennifer Beck. February 2013. Storylines. 13 November 2018. 13 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181113125338/https://www.storylines.org.nz/Storylines+Profiles/Profiles+A-C/More+in+Profiles+Profiles+A-C+temp/Jennifer+Beck.html. dead.
  4. Web site: Beck, Jennifer. September 2014. New Zealand Book Council Te Kaunihera Pukapuka o Aotearoa. 13 November 2018.
  5. Web site: Identity/Migration: Polish children 1944. Polish Heritage Trust Museum. 13 November 2018.
  6. Web site: Te Karaka: Reviews. 4 April 2013. Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu. 13 November 2018.
  7. Web site: Last WWI veteran Torty the Tortoise lives on. Austin. Astrid. 21 April 2018. NZ Herald. 13 November 2018.
  8. Web site: Moving launch for The Anzac Violin. Otago Bulletin Board. 29 March 2018. University of Otago Te Whare Wananga o Otago. 13 November 2018.
  9. Web site: Nami Island Book Festival 2007. Storylines. 13 November 2018.
  10. Book: Beck, Jennifer . Bits of String Too Short to Use . Mary Egan Publishing . 2023 . 9780473678753.
  11. Web site: Storylines Notable Books Awards. Storylines. 13 November 2018. 12 December 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191212143106/https://www.storylines.org.nz/Awards/Storylines+Notable+Books+Awards.html. dead.
  12. Summer 1997 . Awards and celebration . New Zealand Books Pukapuka Aotearoa: a quarterly review . 28.
  13. Web site: Past Winners: 1997. NZ Book Awards Trust. 13 November 2018.
  14. Web site: Past Winners: 2006. NZ Book Awards Trust. 13 November 2018.
  15. Web site: The University of Otago College of Education/Creative New Zealand Children's Writer in Residence. University of Otago Te Whare Wananga o Otago. 13 November 2018.
  16. Web site: Alexander Aitken Great War Story. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 15 September 2016. NZHistory. 13 November 2018.
  17. Web site: Soldier’s story told by Children’s Writers in Residence. Otago Bulletin Board. 25 May 2015. University of Otago Te Whare Wananga o Otago. 13 November 2018.
  18. Web site: Queen's Birthday Honours 2015 - Citations for Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit. 28 May 2015. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Te Tari o te Pirimia me te Komiti Matua. 13 November 2018.

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