| Joy Watson | |
| Birth Name: | Valerie Joy Watson |
| Birth Date: | 1938 2, df=y |
| Birth Place: | Gisborne, New Zealand |
| Death Place: | Havelock North, New Zealand |
| Occupation: | Author, school dental nurse |
| Language: | English |
| Education: | St Mary's College |
| Period: | 1980s–2021 |
| Genre: | Children's literature |
| Notableworks: | Grandpa's Slippers |
| Awards: | Gaelyn Gordon Award New Zealand Post Award |
Valerie Joy Watson (née Evans; 21 February 1938 – 4 October 2021) was a New Zealand author of children's books, many of which were published by Scholastic Corporation. Many of Watson's tales were based on her husband Kevin.[1] Watson had also written lyrics to school musicals and songs. She was the mother of writer/singer/musician Mary-anne Scott.[2]
Watson was born in Gisborne on 21 February 1938[3] to a farming family, she was the second (and only girl) of four children.[3] Largely educated by correspondence, she later attended school at Waipukurau and St Mary's College, Wellington.[4] Although her father left school at a young age, both of her parents were literate.[3] After finishing school, she trained as a dental nurse and worked in the Dannevirke area.[5]
Watson began her writing career by penning stories and poems for her family. The inspiration for her book Grandpa's Slippers was her husband's old slippers. It became well-known[6] and won a Gaelyn Gordon Award for a Much–Loved book in 2000. Grandpa's Slippers was followed by Grandpa's Cardigan, Grandpa's Shorts, Grandpa's Shed and Grandpa's Cat.
In 2015, Grandpa's Slippers was a fiction nomination for the Great Kiwi Classic,[7] adapted into a stage show,[8] and included in the Devonport-Takapuna Local Grants for 2017/2018.[9] It has been published in foreign language editions.
Watson wrote 15 books and with her husband a musical performed in schools.
In 2012, Watson dedicated preschool story time to the community of Hastings for New Zealand Book Month.[10]
Watson married pharmacist Kevin Watson and they had nine children. Her daughter Mary-anne Scott is a writer of young adult fiction.
Watson died in Havelock North on 4 October 2021, aged 83. Her Requiem Mass was held in the town on 7 October 2021.[5] [11]