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Joy Watson
New Zealand writer (1938–2021) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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.[1] Many of Watson's tales were based on her husband Kevin.[2] Watson had also written lyrics to school musicals and songs. She was the mother of writer/singer/musician Mary-anne Scott.[3]
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Early life
Watson was born in Gisborne on 21 February 1938[4] to a farming family, she was the second (and only girl) of four children.[4] Largely educated by correspondence, she later attended school at Waipukurau and St Mary's College, Wellington.[1][5] Although her father left school at a young age, both of her parents were literate.[4] After finishing school, she trained as a dental nurse and worked in the Dannevirke area.[1]
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Career
Watson began her writing career by penning stories and poems for her family.[1] The inspiration for her book Grandpa's Slippers was her husband's old slippers.[1] It became well-known[6] and won a Gaelyn Gordon Award for a Much–Loved book in 2000.[1] Grandpa's Slippers was followed by Grandpa's Cardigan, Grandpa's Shorts, Grandpa's Shed and Grandpa's Cat.[1]
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.[1]
Watson wrote 15 books and with her husband a musical performed in schools.[1]
In 2012, Watson dedicated preschool story time to the community of Hastings for New Zealand Book Month.[10]
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Personal life
Watson married pharmacist Kevin Watson and they had nine children.[1] Her daughter Mary-anne Scott is a writer of young adult fiction.[6]
Watson died in Havelock North on 4 October 2021, aged 83. Her Requiem Mass was held in the town on 7 October 2021.[1][11]
Works
- Pets (1988)
- Mouse In The House (1989)
- Grandpa's Slippers (1989)
- Grandpa's Cardigan (1993)
- No Porridge, Please (1994)
- Just In Case (1996)
- A Wet Day At School (1996)
- Foster Dog (1999)
- Highway Robbery (2000)
- The Birthday Flood (2001)
- Grandpa's Shorts (2001) - Children's Choice Award at the 2002 New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults[1]
- Grandpa's Shed (2003)
- Zita the Zebra (2006)
- Grandpa's Cat (2006)
- Worms Squirm...and Other Poems (2007)[12]
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References
External links
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