About the Author

Margaret Mahy is one of the world's best and most famous children's authors. She was born in Whakatane in 1936, and wrote her first story at the age of seven. A former children's librarian, Margaret published her first book in 1969 and became a fulltime writer in 1980. She has gone on to win numerous honours for her books. The Margaret Mahy Medal was established in 1991 in recognition of her contribution to New Zealand and children's literature.